Vitamin A

Everything you need to know about vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that the body needs for growth and development. It is also vital for cell recognition, vision, immune function, and reproduction.

It also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs function properly.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States. If this happens, it can lead to eye problems, including night blindness.

In this article, learn more about the types of vitamin A, what vitamin A does and some good sources.

Types

• Vitamin A occurs in different ways. The list below will provide more details.
• Pre-formed vitamin A is found in meat, fish and dairy products.
• Provitamin A is found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products.
• Retinol is the main active form of vitamin A in the blood. Retinyl palmitate is the way the vitamin is stored.
• Beta-carotene is a provitamin or vitamin A precursor that occurs in plants, especially dark colored fruits and vegetables, and oily fruits.
• Beta-carotene is an antioxidant in its own right, but the body can also convert it to vitamin A as needed.

Benefits

Vitamin A contributes to a variety of body functions and helps prevent a range of problems, including:

• Night blindness
• Infections, especially in the throat, chest, and abdomen
• Follicular hyperkeratosis, which can lead to dry, bumpy skin
• Fertility problems
• Delayed growth in children

Consuming enough vitamin A can have the following benefits.

Lower cancer risk

Some experts have looked at whether adequate carotenoids intake can help reduce the risk of lung, prostate, and other types of cancer.

However, research has shown mixed results.

Healthy skin and hair

Vitamin A is important in the growth of all body tissues, including skin and hair.

It is oil that helps maintain moisture levels in the skin and hair that contributes to the production of sebum.