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Facts About Vitamin AFacts about Vitamin A are interesting and very important because taking too much Vitamin A can cause Vitamin A toxicity or Vitamin A overdose. Here are a few of the facts about Vitamin A • helps resistance to infection • helps synthesize new ribonucleic acid which sends instructions to all cells – essential for health and function of every cell • enhances immunity • inhibits aging of skin • necessary for vision • needed for cell growth • needed for protein digestion • helps build strong bone and teeth
Forms • preformed from metabolization of beta carotene in animal and fish tissues • the precursor or provitamin form - beta carotene, safe form of A - body converts beta-carotene into A only as needed • also has other carotenoids as antioxidants for broader spectrum protection
RDA As Vitamin A: • Adults: Males - about 5000 IU; Females 4000 IU • Teens - about 5000 IU • Children 1-4 years –about 1600 IU; 4+ years – about 1900 IU
Dosage by Supplements • because of potential toxicity of Vitamin A as such, the only form recommended here is beta-carotene: • Adults 15,000 IU beta-carotene/day • Teens 8,000 IU beta-carotene/day • Children 1-4 years 2,500 IU beta-carotene/day; 4+ 5,000 IU beta-carotene/day
Toxicity Your body stores Vitamin A so toxicity is possible. High consumption of meat and fish liver oils or very high consumption of beta-carotene rich foods can cause toxicity. If any symptoms appear, normally reduction of intake will rectify the situation. The symptoms are quite general and thus difficult to differentiate from other causes. Consult an MD if any of the following appear: nausea, cramps, pain, menstruation issues, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair or weight loss, blurred vision, itchy eyes, irritability, deep bone pain.
You will find lots more information, including full citations and summaries of studies from medical journals in my book It’s About Health. But you can also continue to surf the 200 free pages of this website for lots of valuable, evidence-based information.
It's About Health
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