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“Vitamin A facts”
Interesting facts about vitamin A:
Since vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, it requires some fat to be eaten at the same time, to enable it to be digested and absorbed properly so that it can be used by the body as required.
Vitamin A's antioxidant properties are very potent - it acts to scavenge free radicals in the body that may otherwise do damage to DNA and raise risk of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin A reduces the oxidative damage that may otherwise occur in the cells of the body, from free radicals causing damage to them, if it was not available to neutralise and remove them.
Vitamin A is found in the mucous (respiratory, gastrointestinal) and epithelial (urinary) cells of the body. The vitamin A in these cells helps to keep these cells moist and flexible, so that when any foreign substance (pathogen such as virus or bacteria) enters, these cells and tissues are able to eject the pathogen easily and resist infection. Without vitamin A, these cells may become stiff and dry, thus not providing the correct defense and allowing in the pathogen and enabling infection.
Vitamin A has a beneficial effect on the immune system, as it enhances resistance to many types of infections and disease, especially of the respiratory tract. This is partly due to its effect on the mucous membranes (ensuring they are moist and can easily fend off invading pathogens) and partly due to its antioxidant effects (removes free radicals before they can cause any damage).
Numerous studies show that people who suffer from asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis (or any other infection of the upper respiratory tract, especially if it is chronic) improve significantly and report much less incidence of infection and severity of symptoms associated with their illness when they are given vitamin A supplements. Studies also show that vitamin A builds resistance to the respiratory infections and illness and reduces them.
Studies have shown that people who suffer from allergic rhinnitis (or hayfever, which can happen all year-round, not just in spring) report a significant drop in their symptoms (including allergies) when they are supplemented with vitamin A.
Vitamin A is needed to help the body cells repair, grow properly and to keep bones and teeth strong and healthy.
Numerous studies have shown that vitamin A is vitally important for maintaining healthy eyesight. There are high concentrations of vitamin A in the retina of the eye and also other parts of the eye. Research also shows that vitamin A is required to ensure the formation of visual purple in the eyes, which enables the eyes to view a number of colours.
Vitamin A helps the eyes see better in the dark because higher (and healthy) levels of vitamin A in the eyes (and in particular in the retina) help the eyes see better in the dark and prevent night blindness.
Vitamin A (and betacarotene) help to neutralise the free radicals which could possibly damage the lens of the eye and cause cataracts.
Vitamin A (together with vitamin C and vitamin E) is so vital for preventing or slowing down the development of progression of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness.
Research shows that people who eat foods high in vitamin A (and betacarotene) have a much lowered risk for developing any type of heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, high triglycerides) and this reduces the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Vitamin A is only found in animal and animal product food sources. Vitamin A in animal foods (and animal products such as eggs, milk, cheese) comes pre-formed, so that the body does not have to process it in order to be able to absorb it - the vitamin A simply goes to the intestines where it is absorbed and used as required (including some storage in the liver).
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.