What is vitamin A?
Vitamin A is one of the essential vitamins needed for many biochemical processes in the body. It is basically a group of fat-soluble compounds, including retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters. Vitamin A is naturally present in many foods. Our body stores vitamin A in the liver. We need this vitamin to keep our immune, reproductive, and skin health and vision strong.
Vitamin A: Benefits & Uses
Here are a few vitamin A functions in the body.
- Protect eye health: Inadequate vitamin A can result in poor vision health and cause night blindness. Therefore, if you wish to preserve your eyesight, include vitamin A foods in your diet.
- Support immune health: Vitamin A is needed to maintain a strong body's natural defense system. It is also involved in the synthesis of white blood cells. Therefore, vitamin A deficiency can make us more susceptible to infections and diseases.
- Antioxidant: Vitamin A acts as a potent antioxidant and protect us from the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Promote healthy skin: Vitamin A may help prevent acne. Studies suggest that people with vitamin A deficiency are prone to acne issues. Due to vitamin A benefits for skin, it is a popular ingredient in skin creams.
- Healthy bones: Vitamin A is essential for strong bones as it is involved in developing new bone cells. It also helps absorb calcium, which is a critical bone mineral.
- May reduce cancer risk: Researchers believe that diets rich in vitamin A reduce the risk of developing bladder, cervical, and lung cancer.
Vitamin A Types
Vitamin A exists in two forms.
- Retinol: Retinol vitamin A is mainly found in animal-based vitamin A rich foods, like whole egg, meat, liver, and dairy foods.
- Beta-carotene (Pro vitamin A): This form is primarily found in plant-based vitamin A food sources like oranges, bell peppers, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potato, papaya, and mango.
When we consume vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, it gets converted to retinol for absorption in the small intestine.
How to choose the right vitamin A for you?
Consider these tips if you are looking for a suitable vitamin A supplement.
- Vitamin A supplements are available in both retinol and beta-carotene forms. Consider the form as per your dietary preference and body needs.
- Check the recommended dosage and strength, as it should not be more than 100% daily dietary requirement. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, hence might cause toxicity when taken in excess.
- The product must be certified and free from unwanted additives and fillers.
- It is better to seek medical advice before taking vitamin A tablets during a medical condition, pregnancy or lactation.
How to use vitamin A?
Vitamin A supplements are easily available in various forms like gummies, liquids, tablets or capsules. One can choose as per preference and ease of consumption. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, consuming vitamin A supplements with meals or a healthy fat source like nuts, seeds, avocado, or olives is advisable.
One should avoid taking vitamin A in excess to prevent hypervitaminosis or vitamin A toxicity.
Where to buy vitamin A?
Nutrabay.com is India's most trusted leading online website for the best vitamin A capsules and tablets for men and women. Products sold on Nutrabay are 100% authentic as they are sourced either directly from the brands or official importers. We guarantee a hassle-free buying experience online with secure payment options. Check out Nutrabay for the best vitamin A chewable tablets or capsules to feel great every day and build a perfectly healthy body.
Is vitamin A safe to use?
Vitamin A capsules or other supplements are usually considered safe to use when consumed in moderation per the requirements. High doses of vitamin A might lead to toxicity and symptoms like liver damage, headache, dizziness, and hair loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. List some vitamin A sources.
Vitamin A is found in foods like whole eggs, liver, milk, butter, cheese, orange, papaya, spinach, beet greens, melons, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
2. What is vitamin a daily requirement?
ICMR recommends a daily intake of 1000 mcg of vitamin A for males and 840 mcg for females. The requirement varies between 900-950 mcg per day during pregnancy and lactation.
3. What is the disease caused by deficiency of vitamin A?
Vitamin A deficiency leads to conditions like night blindness, macular degeneration, poor eyesight, skin issues, weak immunity, and growth retardation.
4. What is the correct vitamin A dosage?
The dosage of vitamin A may vary depending on the factors like age, gender, medical condition, existing vitamin A levels, etc.
5. What are some vitamin A rich fruits?
- Cantaloupe
- Papaya
- Mango
- Orange
- Apricot
6. Are there any vitamin A side effects?
High doses of vitamin A might cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, skin irritation, hair fall, and muscle and joint pain.