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Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin. Retinol is a type of Vitamin A that can be extracted from animal-based foods. It is found in the liver as well as the other intestinal parts of the animal. Another type of Vitamin A is available in the form of beta carotenes which are found in herbs and other herbivore-based foods. This comes in the form of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene or gamma-carotene. Retinol is currently available in a soluble pill form developed by many drug companies.

Vitamin A food sources are liver, meat, eggs, broccoli, carrots, sweet potato and others which are included in your daily recommended dietary allowance.

1. Vitamin A is particularly needed by the eye's retina in order to achieve the formation of retinal which is a certain metabolite and light absorbing molecule.
   
   
   
2. Vitamin A is vital for a strong immune system. It has carotenes which can alleviate the antibodies of the body making a defense mechanism for the body against harmful bacteria that may destroy the body. In return, these antibodies create a series of schematic body protection to avoid any damage to the internal organs of the body.
   
   
   
3. Skin aging is associated with the loss of vitamin A in the body. Gamma carotene is essential to help the body fight various harmful free radicals that damage the body. Vitamin A forms a protective shield against UV rays or other skin damaging stimulus in the environment. As an antioxidant agent, vitamin A will protect the skin from the decay of melanoma cells which acts as the skin enhancer.
   
   
   
4. Vitamin A plays a major key role in the development of strong bones. It acts as significant factor in combining calcium to the formation of bones of the body. As potassium and calcium create bone marrow, vitamin A creates a shield to get any decay of the bone.
   
   
   
5. During pregnancy, vitamin A acts as a compact nutrient to help in the formation of the embryo of the baby. In this period, a lack of Vitamin A will severely damage the immune system of the baby risking the internal organs' functioning and even the life of the child.

Vitamin A Side Effects

Eventhough there are many benefits of vitamin A, an overdose may cause side effects. A deficiency may also produce harmful effects.

Vitamin A Deficiency

The first sign of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. Eventually, total blindness can occur due to retinal injury. Another sign of deficiency is susceptibility to infections.

Vitamin A Overdose

Pregnant women who exceed the recommended dietary allowance may cause birth defects in children. And women breast feeding must seek a doctor's advice before taking any vitamin A supplements.

An overdose or toxicity of vitamin is harmful to skin and bones, causing brittleness and weakness. This leads to vomiting and fatigue. Consuming excessive intakes of vitamin A is toxic, and this occurs at dosages exceeding 20-25,000 daily.

Symptoms of a vitamin A overdose includes lethargy, discomfort, lessening appetite, decreased growth, joint soreness, cracked lips, hair loss and skin yellowing.