(also referred to as...)
Beta-Carotene, Carotenoids, Provitamin A, Retinal, Retinol, Retinoic Acid, Retinoids
Description
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin found in a variety of foods and stored in the liver. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining a healthy retina of the eye. It also help prevent night blindness (inability of the eyes to adjust to light changes) and a variety of other eye problems.
Vitamin A enhances the immune system and protects the body from infection and is required for the proper formation of bones and teeth. Protein cannot be absorbed by the body without this vitamin. It offers protection against cancer and pollution and is necessary for a healthy digestive tract. Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin, hair, and gums.
Vitamin A, also called retinol, is found only in foods derived from animals. Carotenoids, or provitamin A, are compounds found in both plant and animal derived foods and act as precursors to vitamin A. They function as antioxidants in the body, protecting cells and organs from oxidative/free radical damage. Beta-carotene is also a vitamin A precursor found in plants.
Three different forms of vitamin A are active in the body: retinal, retinol, and retinoic acid. Together, the compounds are known as retinoids. Cells are able to convert retinal and retinol to the other active forms as needed.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Vitamin A helps weak eyesight and many eye disorders. It also helps to build resistance to respiratory infections, and relieves colds, flu, and fevers and remove age spots. Vitamin A may help treat or prevent many ailments including cancer, most eye disorders (nightblindness, cataracts, macular degeneration, et cetera), arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches, sinusitis, stress, heart disease, diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, bronchitis, and tooth and gum disorders.
Source
Good sources of vitamin A include green and yellow fruits and vegetables, milk products, fish liver oils, dried apricots, beef liver, cantaloupe, carrots, collard greens, fennel, garlic, kale, mustard greens, peaches, papayas, pumpkin, red peppers, romaine lettuce, and winter squash.
Optimal Absorption
Vitamin A is available in most multi-vitamin/mineral supplements and also in isolated form. Therapeutic doses can range between 10,000 and 25,000 IU.
Substances and elements that destroy or limit absorption of vitamin A include alcohol, caffeine, charcoal, cortisone, excessive iron, mineral oil, prescription drugs, and vitamin D deficiency.
The following is a list of United States 1989 Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for minimum nutritional vitamin A intake and are included as a guideline only. These values are considered too low for most individuals, according to better nutrition authorities today. Consult with your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner for a dosage appropriate for your needs. Children under 6 years of age should be under the supervision of the above mentioned specialists if directly supplementing with vitamin A.
NOTE: (1mcg RE = 3.33 IU retinol or 1mcg RE = 10 IU beta-carotene)
0 - 5 months, 375mcg RE 6 - 11 months, 375mcg RE 1 - 3, 400mcg RE 4 - 6, 500mcg RE 7 - 10, 700mcg RE 11 - 14, 1,000mcg RE 15 - 18, 1,000mcg RE 19 - 24, 1,000mcg RE 25 - 50, 1,000mcg RE 51+, 1,000mcg 11 - 14, 800mcg RE 15 - 18, 800mcg RE 19 - 24, 800mcg RE 25 - 50, 800mcg RE 51+ years, 800mcg RE 1st 6 months, 1,300mcg RE 2nd 6 months, 1,200mcg RE
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
A daily intake of 100,000 IU can become toxic if taken over an extended period of time.
Ailment / Situation Listing
