What Are The Benefits Of Taking Vitamin A?

Benefits of Taking Vitamin A - Types of Vitamin A

preformed vitamin a - found in animal tissues, formed from the carotene that the animal has eaten. Cod liver oil very rich in this type of vitamin a.
betacarotene - precurserof vitamin a. we get this from dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, deep yellow and orange vegetables or fruit like carrots

Carotene must be converted by the body into vitamin a before it can be used.

Health Benefits of Taking Vitamin A

growth and repair of body tissues
hence helps maintain soft and smooth skin
helps protect mucous membranes of the nose, sinus, lungs, eyelids, throat, stomach, intestines, vagina and uterus. Helps protect these tissues from infection
protects the kidney and bladder tissues
involved in secretion of gastric juices for protein digestion
building strong bones and teeth
formation of rich blood
reproduction
cell membrane stability and development
mmunity
maintaining good eyesight
night vision
betacarotene helps protect the body from some forms of cancer
RNA enhanced by vitamin a (RNA involved in cellular communication)

(Source: The Nutrition Almanac by Kirschmann and Kirschmann)

For a good table on the food sources of vitamin a, click here.

Because vitamin a is a fat soluble vitamin, and is stored by the body, it can be toxic when too much is consumed. Usually this is not a problem with plant sources of vitamin a. But vitamin A supplementation, too much animal dervied vitamin a, and excessive carotene rich juices can pose a problem.

Vitamin A Overdose Symptoms

Blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headache, insomnia, irritability, apathy, stupor, skin rash, nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, hair loss, joint pain, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, liver damage, abnormal bone growth, damage to the nervous system

Find out your RDA for vitamin a