Description: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and was the first vitamin discovered.
Vitamin A is a family of compounds that includes retinol, retinal, and beta carotene.
Beta carotene also is called provitamin A, since it can be converted in the body to vitamin A.
Both vitamin A and beta carotene are available in supplement form.
Use: Vitamin A is important for normal vision and the prevention of
infectious diseases.
- Vitamin A combines in the retina of the eye with the specialized protein
necessary for night vision.
- Vitamin A helps maintain the skin, lungs, and the linings of the mouth and throat.
- Beta carotene helps maintain health by deactivating damaging free radicals.
- Symptoms of deficiency are most likely to affect the skin, teeth, and eyes and vision.
How much do I need? The Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000IU.
Children should consume no more than 3,500IU daily.
- No Daily Value has been established for beta carotene. Some health experts
recommend 10mg. to 30mg. of beta carotene daily.
- Vitamin A requirements are related to body weight. People who weigh more than the
average person need more of this vitamin.
Is it safe? Vitamin A a is fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in the body, so
it can reach toxic levels if consumed in excess.
- Vitamin A intake should be limited to a maximum of 5,000IU during pregnancy. Birth
defects are associated with high intakes of this vitamin A.
- Adults consuming more than 50,000IU daily of vitamin A for long periods of time can
experience headaches, vomiting, weight loss, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, hair loss,
and dry and cracked lips.
- Children are more susceptible than adults to vitamin A toxicity.
- Beta carotene is relatively free of side effects, even at very high doses. The only
side effect is harmless and reversible yellowing of the skin in the palms of the hands
and soles of the feet when high doses are taken.
What foods are good sources? Vitamin A is found only in few foods of animal origin,
while beta carotene is found in dark green and orange vegetables and fruits.
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