vitamin a is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps your body grow, heal and stay healthy. It helps your eyes and skin work properly, keeps the lining of your heart, lungs, intestines and urinary tract in good shape, and supports your immune system. It also helps your bones and teeth grow strong, and it promotes healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Vitamin A comes in two forms, known as preformed vitamin A (retinol) and provitamin A carotenoids. The most common form of vitamin A found in our diets is beta-carotene, which is most commonly derived from colorful fruits and vegetables.
Your body needs a balanced diet and supplements to get the right amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs for good health. Food sources are usually the best source of vitamins and other nutrients, but dietary supplements are available when you can't get enough from your diet or if you have specific health problems.
Retinol, which is also called retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate, is a fat-soluble vitamin A precursor that is found in many animal products and some fortified foods. The body can convert this form of retinol to retinal and retinoic acid, which are the active forms of vitamin A.
Some people do not absorb retinyl esters and other provitamin A carotenoids well, so they may need to take a supplement. This is especially true if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you take certain medications to prevent blood clots.
Taking too much vitamin A can be harmful, so you should not take it in high doses without the advice of your doctor or a nutritionist. Toxicity can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and vision disturbances. It can also cause nausea and vomiting.
The safest way to get vitamin A is by eating a variety of foods rich in both preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids. These include eggs, fish oil, meat, whole milk, and fortified foods like breakfast cereals.
If you do not get enough vitamin A through your diet, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. You can find vitamin A in a variety of forms, such as soft gels, dietary supplements and capsules.
Vitamin A deficiency can be very dangerous. In some cases, it can lead to night blindness and other eye diseases. It can also contribute to cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. In rare cases, it can cause a complication of pregnancy called chorioamnionitis.
Your vitamin A needs depend on your age and sex. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A is set by the federal government, and is listed in micrograms of retinol activity equivalents.
Generally speaking, most people get enough vitamin A from a balanced diet that includes many fruits and vegetables. You can also get vitamin A from fortified foods and dietary supplements, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You can take vitamin A in a number of different ways, including oral tablets, ointments, and liquid drops. You can also take vitamin A in a combination with other vitamins and minerals.
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