Vitamin A

Written By Live Naturally
Dated: July 31, 2006

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Vitamin A is fat soluble and can be stored by the body. It is found in the form of retinol from animal sources and also in beta-carotene which is water soluble and is found in vegetables and fruits. Beta-carotene can be converted into retinol in the body.

Vitamin A is vital for the health of your eyes and vision, particularly night vision and is essential for the development of healthy bones and skin. It helps to build resistance to disease, ie it strengthens the immune system and it can also help to produce red and white blood cells.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 800 micrograms and good food sources are organic animal products such as liver, kidneys, cheese, eggs and oily fish or fish oils. Beta-carotene is found in any green, yellow or orange fruit and vegetable such as carrots, peppers (capsicum), broccoli, spinach, watercress, apricots, pumpkins, etc.

A sign of vitamin A deficiency is nightblindness and an excess of of the vitamin is dangerous during pregnancy and should not be taken if pregnant or planning a
pregnancy.