Vitamins : Does vitamin a help acne?

Article by Sprock Rydolph

Vitamins, as the name suggests, are vital minerals (vita for vital + Minerals=Vitamins). Vitamins are required only in very small quantity to sustain life or to perform essential functions; therefore they are classified as micronutrients. Retinol; the medical term for vitamin A indicates its importance for smooth functioning of eye; retina. Next only to retina, vitamin A plays a vital role in the maintenance of skin health.

Sources and RDA of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is found abundantly in nature. Rich sources of vitamin A include animal liver (cow, lamb, poultry, fish and many others), yellow fruits like mango, melon and apricot. Vitamin A is also found in yellow and green vegetables like, Spinach, broccoli, lettuce, sweet potato, yam and many other similar vegetables. Recommended daily allowance of vitamin A ranges from 400 ug/day to 1300 ug /day. The requirement varies for different sex and age groups. Infants and girls need less than men, pregnant women or lactating mothers.

Vitamin A deficiency disease and impacts of overuse

The requirement is easily met with the normal meals and unless prescribed by a physician, no supplementation of vitamin A is required. Deficiency of vitamin A may cause acne, discoloration of skin and night blindness. Excessive use of vitamin A, on the other hand may cause loss of hair with some serious side effects like damage to kidney in extreme cases.

Synthetic versions

Some synthetic preparations for topical treatment of acne are available. They are Supplements of vitamin and utilize the active ingredient ‘Isotretinoin’ and available under the brand name ‘accutane’.The synthetic preparations are in no way superior to the natural resources which do not cause toxicity. Synthetic alternates may have side effects and should not be used unless prescribed in which case intake of vitamin A from other resources must be curtailed to remain within limits of RDA.

An overdose of vitamin A may cause hair loss and some other undesirable changes and some be very serious and can even damage kidney. Overconsumption of vitamin A can also reduce human memory. In view of the potential adverse side effects it is absolutely necessary to use synthetic preparations of vitamin A only when prescribed.

Does vitamin a help acne?

The mechanism involved in the functionality of vitamin A to cure acne is by reducing the size of sebaceous glands. The reduced glands do not produce sebum (hair oil ) in excess therefore the development of acne is averted. Vitamin A also causes formation of new cells thereby helps keep the skin smooth and healthy.

Effect of staple food

Compared with people from Asian countries, Africans have lesser occurrence of acne. A major cause is the staple food. Wheat is staple to Asians and yam is staple to Africans. Compared with wheat, yam has more of vitamin A, and contains food fiber too.

The preferred source

Animal sources of Vitamin are rich in vitamin A, but lack fiber content. Vegetable sources are not only rich in vitamin A but also provide food fiber which regulates intestinal function and helps detoxification.

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