Vitamin A

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A, also called retinol, helps your eyes adjust to light changes when you come in from outside and also helps keep your eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. It also has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage.

Research also suggests that vitamin A may reduce the mortality rate from measles, prevent some types of cancer, aid in growth and development, and improve immune function.

Vitamin A mostly comes from animal foods, but some plant-based foods supply beta-carotene, which your body then converts into Vitamin A. The main sources include beef liver, egg yolk, fortified milk and cheddar cheese.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare in industrialized nations but remains a concern in developing countries, particularly in areas where malnutrition is common. Prolonged deficiency can lead to dry eye and ultimately to night blindness or total blindness, as well as to skin disorders, infections (such as measles), diarrhoea, and respiratory disorders.

Side Effects and Warnings of Vitamin A

Vitamin A toxicity is rare in the general population. An infant with acute toxicity can develop a bulging fontalle and symptoms similar to a brain tumour. Adults experience less specific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, blurry vision, bone pain and swelling, nausea, and/or vomiting.

Severe toxicity can lead to eye damage, high levels of calcium, and liver damage. Persons with liver disease and high alcohol intake may be at risk for toxicity from vitamin A supplementation. Smokers who consume alcohol and beta-carotene may be at an increased risk for lung cancer or cardiovascular disease.

For pregnant and breast feeding women, Vitamin A should only be used within the recommended dietary allowance, because vitamin A excess, as well as deficiency, has been associated with birth defects.

You should always consult your doctor before starting on any Vitamin A supplements.

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