Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a type of fat soluble vitamin needed by the body for a variety of functions. Some of the benefits of vitamin A for the body include vision health, bone growth, cell division and reproduction. There are two different types of vitamin A, and these include vitamin A caratenoid and preformed vitamin A.

Preformed vitamin A is found in a variety of types of foods, including whole milk and liver. Fortified food products often have this type of vitamin A as well, and it is known as retinal. Acne treatment with vitamin A is typically accomplished using this type of vitamin A. The other type of vitamin A, also known as beta carotene, can be found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Foods high in vitamin A include many types of dairy products and some fortified cereals. Some dairy products that contain vitamin A include whole milk, some cheeses, egg substitutes and more. Liver and other meats can also contain vitamin A of the preformed variety. Foods rich in vitamin A of the carotene type include carrots, peaches and apricots. Another food with vitamin A is sweet red peppers, and there are also many other dark colored vegetables and fruits that can provide vitamin A as well.

If you don’t get enough vitamin A from food sources, you can still receive vitamin A eye health as well as other positive vitamin A functions within the body by using a supplement. It is important, however, to learn the facts about vitamin A and the vitamin A toxicity within a supplement. Otherwise, you could receive a vitamin A overdose, which is often as bad as having a vitamin A deficiency. By making sure your body receives enough vitamin A, but not too much, you will be able to keep your body in the best shape possible and ward off possible illnesses. But, since extra vitamin A is stored in the liver for later use by the body when needed, too much can be an overload. This means that you should meet the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, but try to stay in that range. If you do take a supplement, you shouldn’t take one that has the entire amount of vitamin A for your daily allowance. Even if your diet isn’t full of healthy foods, you likely get some vitamin A through the foods you eat, so allow wiggle room in your supplemental intake for this.