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Vitamin A facts and benefits

Vitamin A facts

Vitamin A is one of the essential nutrients for human beings. It is also know as the “Miracle Vitamin”. Vitamin A belongs to the family of molecules called retinoid. It is very much essential for vision, bone growth, immune functions, cell development and for healthy skin.

Sources of Vitamin A

Vitamin A may be acquired thru various sources; typically it is qualified under two sources - one from the animals and the other from vegetables. Animal sources include eggs, fish liver oils, beef liver, chicken liver, calf liver and dairy products. Vegetable sources include spinach, carrots, broccoli leaves, pumpkin, sweet potatoes etc. Vitamin A may also be acquired by intake of Vitamin A supplements. But is advisable to depend on the natural source of Vitamin A. Excess intake of Vitamin A may turn out to be toxic and lead to nausea, weight loss, blurred vision, headache, birth defects etc.

Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a vital role in growth and formation of strong bones. It reduces skin cancer and also helpful for smoother and healthy skin. It improves eyesight and reduces the risk of night-blindness or dryness in eyes. Vitamin A also benefits in sperm production and to fight against cancer.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Deficiency of Vitamin A leads to night blindness, eye dryness, impaired immunity which increases the risk of infectious diseases. Children are more often found to be deficient of Vitamin A and vulnerable to growth retardation. It also leads to dry skin, respiratory and urinary infections.