Vitamin A, Function, Deficiency, Latest News

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily stored in the liver. Read more about Vitamin A, Function, Deficiency, Latest News.

Vitamin A Latest News

Researchers recently uncovered new ways a vitamin A-derived molecule can interfere with the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

About Vitamin A

It is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily stored in the liver.
There are two types of vitamin A that are found in the diet.

Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, and dairy foods.
Precursors to vitamin A, also known as provitamin A, are found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. 

These compounds are converted to the active form in your body. 
The most common type of provitamin A is beta-carotene.

Foods with the highest levels of vitamin A include:

Beef liver and other organ meats
Some types of fish such as herring and salmon and cod fish oil
Eggs
Dairy products such as cheese and fortified milk 
Fortified breakfast cereals
Orange and yellow vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, and cantaloupe
Broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables

Function:

Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin. 
It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye.
Vitamin A promotes good eyesight, especially in low light. 
It also has a role in healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you do not get enough vitamin A, you have more risk of eye problems such as:

Reversible night blindness
Non-reversible corneal damage known as xerophthalmia
It can also lead to hyperkeratosis or dry, scaly skin.

Vitamin A deficiency can be treated with vitamin A supplements. 

Source: SD

Vitamin A FAQs

Q1. What type of vitamin is Vitamin A?+

Ans. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Q2. Where is Vitamin A primarily stored in the body?+

Ans. Vitamin A is primarily stored in the liver.

Q3. What role does Vitamin A play in eye health?+

Ans. Vitamin A helps produce retinal pigments and promotes good eyesight, especially in low light.

Q4. Why is Vitamin A also known as retinol?+

Ans. It is known as retinol because it produces pigments in the retina of the eye.

Q5. Which vegetables and fruits are rich in Vitamin A?+

Ans. Carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, and dark green leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin A.

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