Vitamin A: Benefits, Deficiency, Toxicity, and More

Vitamins are important for health and well-being. They are defined as a group of substances that are required in small amounts for healthy growth and development. They cannot be produced by the body and are thus required in the diet.

There are two types of vitamins, depending on whether they are water-soluble or fat-soluble. Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is not excreted from the body in the urine, so excessive intake can have adverse health effects. Vitamin A is found in foods of animal origin. Such as: Egg yolk , milk, and liver. It is formed in the body from the pigment Beta-carotene which is found in certain types of vegetables. Such as: lettuce, cabbage, and carrots. 

Vitamin A has many functions in the body. required for normal cell division and growth. It is important for maintaining the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts. Retinol is a pale yellow solid, readily soluble in oils and fats, essential for good vision, especially in dim light light, and plays an important role in normal embryonic development. It is used to enrich margarines because it can be produced synthetically.

The best source of retinal is the liver, and a small amount of 3g can meet the body's daily needs. 700 mcg per day per adult is a good amount, which can also be obtained from beta-carotene foods. Such as: 2 ounces of raw carrots.

A deficiency of vitamin A leads to failure to thrive, dehydration of mucous membranes, night blindness, and an increased risk of infection. A persistent lack of vitamin A can lead to poor vision.


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