All about Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that we obtain by ingesting animal fats, and which is stored in the liver. Our intestines are also able to manufacture this nutrient from beta-carotene, which is a carotenoid found in vegetables, especially carrots.

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances in the body that can damage cellular material, causing premature disease and aging.

It is also a nutrient that plays essential roles in maintaining healthy vision –- warding off night blindness; keeping skin cells healthy –- alleviating skin disorders such as psoriasis, and often used in derivative form (prescription Retin-A) to treat acne and wrinkles; boosting the immune system; and healing wounds.

Other studies show vitamin A may help the important hormone insulin regulate blood sugar levels, and, therefore, may benefit people with diabetes.

Vitamin A, though crucial for good health, is one of the most potentially toxic if too much is ingested. Liver, especially, is extremely high in this vitamin because reserves are stored there. The RDA is currently set at 4,000 IU (International Units) for women and 5,000 IU for men. Some symptoms of toxicity can manifest as dry skin that easily cracks, soft and brittle nails, hair loss, fatigue, and nausea.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient. Elderly people are often deficient in this nutrient due to poor dietary intake; in addition, the Western diet in general is high in processed foods, refined grains, and sugary snacks that all present poor sources.

Alarming studies have even now shown that, due to modern farming methods, the nutrient value in even healthy foods have declined drastically, making the use of supplements more important than ever.

As such, we believe that supplementing with Vitamin A should be considered. On the other hand, for most people, we don’t believe the RDA should be exceeded due to potential toxicity. Only those who have consulted a physician and are looking for therapeutic benefit to treat a particular condition should consider taking more than the RDA.

1. Vitamin A works synergistically with Vitamin E. As such, we recommend you take them together.

2. Beta Carotene, as mentioned before, is changed to vitamin A only when the body has a need for it. Therefore, beta carotene cannot induce toxicity. There are some difference between beta carotene and vitamin A, however, so you may want to include both in your diet. We recommend choosing a supplement that contains both vitamin A and beta carotene.

3. Dietary supplements in the U.S. are unregulated, and both private and government parties have determined you only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a product that actually contains the amount of ingredients stated on the label. Therefore, only purchase from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which adhere to the most exacting manufacturing standards for dietary supplements.

This way, you can be sure you are getting the amount of vitamin A you paid for, and that you don’t end up with contaminated ingredients, which, unfortunately, is altogether too common.