Vitamins : Vitamin A, And How It Can Improve Your Health

Article by Ben Adams

Among the fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamin A is the first to be unveiled. It is a pale yellow primary alcohol that came from carotene. It usually affects the maintenance and formation of the skin, bones, teeth and mucous membrane as well as vision and reproduction.

Vitamin A is also called retinol and it is popularly known for helping the eyes adjust to light changes. This vitamin is mostly sourced from animal foods such as liver, fish liver oil, milk and other milk products, eggs and butter.

It is advisable that Vitamin A be obtained from the diet rather than from the supplements. It is because Vitamin A acquired from a varied diet provides the optimum potential of heath benefits that supplements cannot.

Vitamin A can also be found in various dark green and deep orange fruits and vegetables including carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, bok choy, turnip greens, mustard greens and romaine lettuce.

Liver is a very rich source of Vitamin A since it is chiefly stocked in the liver of animals and humans. There are also small amounts of this vitamin in most human tissues. this kind of Vitamin A is found in chemical forms dubbed as retinoids. The rest of the Vitamin A in the human and animal bodies is produced in the intestines from the beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which is abundant in many vegetables and fruits. The beta-carotene is the most active carotenoid but it is inefficiently sucked up and transformed to retinol compared to the Vitamin A that comes from animal sources. The top sources of beta-carotene include carrots, pumpkins, broccoli, apricots, spinach and collard greens, sweet potato and cantaloupe.

Vitamin A intake is unquestionably necessary to human health. If you didn’t acquire the right amount of this vitamin, you will become A-deficient. This deficiency is called Hypovitaminosis A. Vitamin A deficiency can cause xerophthalmia which can lead to night blindness. Other symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency are skin dryness, susceptibility to bacterial invasion and dryness of the eyes caused by malfunctioning of the tear glands. However, sufficient amount of Vitamin A has so many health benefits.

* Vitamin A is best known for promoting as well as maintaining healthy eyesight. This vitamin helps the eye’s retina to function well. Vitamin A is also very significant for the veracity of the mucous membranes around the eyes.

Vitamin A is really helpful in inhibiting night blindness as well as in helping the eyes to adjust from bright light to darkness. Aside from that, eyedrops with Vitamin A are also effective in curing eye disorder specifically dry eye which is due to the tear glands’ inability to secrete sufficient fluid.

* Guards the body against infections like flu, colds and bronchitis. Vitamin A is also known as “the anti-infective vitamin”. It plays an important role in guarding the body from infection. Vitamin A can be very valuable in fighting colds and other common infections by sustaining the healthy maintenance of the mucous membrane. This nutrient also keeps the body surfaces healthy to make them capable of attacking micro organisms. In case of chronic bronchitis, Vitamin A promotes curing of lung tissues that are damaged.

Also, Vitamin A encourages and improves many immune functions like antibody response and the activity of different white blood cells including phagocytes and T helper cells. This immune-enhancing function of Vitamin A helps heal the infected tissues of the body and boosts its resistance to infection.

* Helps fight cancer. Aside from boosting the immune system, Vitamin A may also be of value in fighting breast and lung cancer as well as in escalating the rate of survival of those who are suffering from leukemia. This nutrient can also guard the body against the progression of a melanoma, a type of skin cancer that’s usually malignant. Moreover, studies show that cancer patients encompassing high vitamin A intakes usally have good response to chemotherapy treatment.

* Aids in normal pregnancy and fetal development. Due to its imperative role in cell development and differentiation, sufficient amount of Vitamin A helps in ensuring that the changes taking place in the cells and tissues during fetal growth normally happens.

* Heals skin diseases like acne, rosacea, eczema as well as psoriasis. Studies proved that Vitamin A is necessary in achieving healthy skin

* Protects the body against certain gastrointestinal problems. Vitamin A is helpful in protecting the lining of the digestive tract. Thus, it may relieve symptoms of ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease.

* Promotes health of epithelial cells. This nutrient is necessary in forming healthy epithelial cells. These cells include the internal and external surfaces of the body and are located in the lungs, skin, inner ear, developing teeth, sex organs, gums, nose, sex organs, glands and their ducts, cervix and other body parts. Most epithelial cells generate mucus, which is needed to lubricate body surfaces and defend micro organisms that may attack the body.

The human body needs sufficient amount of Vitamin A daily so make sure to include Vitamin A-rich foods in your diet. If you’re taking Vitamin A supplements, it must be taken with food. Some fat in your diet will improve absorption.

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