Vitamin A

Vitamin A

  • Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for various biological functions in the body. It exists in several forms, including retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid. Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision, supporting the immune system, promoting growth and development, and ensuring the proper functioning of organs and tissues.

  • The main sources of vitamin A include animal-based foods such as liver, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It can also be obtained from plant-based sources in the form of provitamin A carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, which is found in colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and mangoes.

  • Vitamin A is essential for maintaining normal vision, particularly in low-light conditions, and it is crucial for the health of the epithelial cells that line various surfaces of the body, including the skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract. It also supports the immune system, playing a role in the production and function of white blood cells.

  • Yes. While vitamin A is essential for good health, excessive intake of vitamin A from supplements or high-dose sources can be harmful. The daily recommended upper limit for Vitamin A is 3000 mcg.

  • Ellement provides Vitamin A in two forms: Retinol-based and Beta-carotene.

    Retinol is the active form of vitamin A found in animal-based sources. It is readily absorbed by the body and can be used directly. Retinol supplements are commonly available and often used to address vitamin A deficiency. They are particularly beneficial for individuals who have difficulty converting provitamin A carotenoids into active vitamin A.

    Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid found in plant-based sources. It is converted by the body into retinol as needed.