Vitamin A is essential for gene transcription, immune system function, bone health, and eye and skin health. It can be found in animal sources, as well as in fruits and vegetables. A deficiency can lead to infection susceptibility, vision problems, and night blindness. However, excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and various health problems.
Like all vitamins, vitamin A is essential and cannot be produced by the body in the amount required to maintain health. This vitamin is involved in gene transcription and is therefore essential in all cells. It has strong antioxidant activity and is particularly important for eye and skin health, immune system function, and bone health. Furthermore, this vitamin is believed to play an important role in reproduction, reproductive health, and breastfeeding. Vitamin A is known in its precursor form as beta-carotene and in its active form as retinol.
People who do not have an adequate intake of vitamin A tend to be more susceptible to infection and are more likely to experience severe symptoms in the case of a cold, flu, or other non-serious infection. In addition, vision problems and reduced night vision may also develop. People with vitamin A deficiency are at increased risk of nyctalopia, or night blindness. This condition makes it difficult or impossible to see in low light. Another risk is an eye disease called keratomalacia, which causes the corneas of the eyes to become very dry, irritated, and cloudy.
As with most other vitamins and minerals, the best way to get the recommended healthy amount of vitamin A is by eating a wide variety of foods. Many foods are rich sources of this essential vitamin, including animal sources such as meat, eggs, cheese, milk, and certain types of fish. Also, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, and apricots are good sources of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means that the body can store a supply of this vitamin in the liver. It also means the vitamin is better absorbed by the body when eaten as part of a meal that contains fat.
Although essential for good health, vitamin A can be toxic in very large doses. The disease caused by the toxicity is known as hypervitaminosis A, and it can cause birth defects, liver problems, hair loss, skin discoloration, dry skin, and high intracranial blood pressure. In addition, this disease can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Hypervitaminosis A occurs when the amount of the vitamin in the body exceeds the amount the liver can store, causing the excess to circulate throughout the body. In most cases, this toxicity is due to excessive consumption of vitamin supplements that contain large doses of vitamin A.
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