For Skin, Eyes and Pregnancy: Why Does Vitamin A Need?

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that the body does not produce, but receives it from the food and stores it. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body. Vitamin A is required for proper growth and development, for strengthening the immune system, for normal night vision and for skin health and it plays a vital role in maintaining the mucosal tissues of the body in various organs including eyes, lungs, stomach, and genitals. Vitamin A also plays a role in the iron transition to red blood cells and the production of hemoglobin molecules. Since the body stores vitamin A it is important to consume it in a balanced way - lack of it can cause damage, but excess vitamin A in the body can also be harmful.

Not on carrots alone: ​​Vitamin A in foods

So how do you get your vitamin A from the food? Vitamin A, as mentioned, comes from the body only from food and from external sources, it is found in different and quite diverse foods and there are differences between Vitamin A that comes from the animal and that which comes from the plant: Vitamin A that comes from animal foods is retinol, while Vitamin A comes from plant sources is carotenoid (like beta carotene ), Which in the body is converted to retinol, the active form of vitamin A, and its absorption is less effective than that of vitamin A from the animal.

Which foods contain vitamin A? Good animal sources of vitamin A are liver, fatty fish, such as herring and salmon, butter, milk, cheese, and eggs. Those who prefer to avoid animal foods will find their vitamin A in orange vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes, and orange fruits such as papaya, cheque, and mango. Zucchini and peppers and dark leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and turnip also contain carotenoids that are converted into vitamin A in the body.

Vitamin A is Pregnant, Is It Not Allowed

Many women who have experienced pregnancy are aware of the "Vitamin A Warning in Pregnancy," which generally says it is best to avoid vitamin A during this period. But is it really right to completely avoid vitamin A pregnancy? After all, vitamin A is very important for the development of the fetus - it is important for the development of the eyes, skin cells, and strengthening the immune system - but on the other hand, uncontrolled intake of vitamin A in pregnancy can cause abnormalities in the fetal nervous system and urinary tract.

The solution is to consume vitamin A in pregnancy safely, ie, mainly through the diet, and it is better to consume the vitamin from the plant. In fact, consuming vitamin A in pregnancy from fruits and vegetables is harmless and can even provide whatever amount of vitamin the mother and fetus need. In contrast, vitamin A supplementation in the months preceding pregnancy and gestation as well as vitamin A intake from animal foods may be problematic and therefore it is not recommended to consume vitamin A supplement during this period, and it is advisable to reduce the intake of animal foods containing large amounts of vitamin A (mainly, mainly). It is also important to avoid taking vitamin A medicines, such as medicines or ointments for skin diseases.

How Is Vitamin A Deficiency Created?

Vitamin A deficiency due to poor nutrition is more common in developing countries, especially in children, who do not get enough vitamin A in food and their development is impaired. Because Vitamin A is fat-soluble, a diet that is too low in fat can impair its absorption. Other causes of vitamin A deficiency can be iron deficiency, which may affect vitamin A absorption; Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes; And excess alcohol consumption can deplete the vitamin A reservoirs in the body.

The symptoms of vitamin deficiency

• Dry eyes - Dry eyes, or inability to produce tears, are one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency, which can also lead to corneal damage and the formation of white spots on them and even blindness. One study found that high doses of vitamin A reduced the prevalence of dry eyes by 63% in infants and children taking supplements over 16 months.
• Night blindness -  also one of the first signs of vitamin A. Severe vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, as vitamin A helps maintain the retina.
• Dry Skin and Inflammation -  Because Vitamin A plays an important role in skin repair and helps fight inflammation, vitamin A deficiency can lead to inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and other skin problems.
• Difficulty conceiving -  If you have difficulty conceiving, vitamin A deficiency may be one of the reasons, as it can lead to infertility in both men and women. Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with abortion. A study analyzing the levels of various nutrients in women who have had miscarriages revealed low vitamin A levels.
• Late growth - Children who do not get enough vitamin A may experience growth delay. This is because vitamin A is necessary for the normal development of the human body. Several studies in children in developing countries have shown that vitamin A supplementation, alone or with other nutrients, can boost growth.
• Weakening of the immune system -  Vitamin A deficiency can increase the body's susceptibility to infections and delay recovery in the event of illness, especially in cases of urinary, sinus and respiratory diseases, and complications in cases such as measles.
• Acne - The appearance of acne is also linked to vitamin A deficiency, the relationship is unequivocal and the hypothesis is that vitamin A acts directly on the skin's glands, which when obstructed, acne develops. The fact is that many drugs for treating the phenomenon, both for ingestion and for smearing, are based on vitamin A.

Excess Vitamin A: Why Is It Dangerous?

So true, vitamin A is very important for overall health and it is recommended not to develop a deficiency, but it turns out that excess vitamin A is also unhealthy and can be dangerous. Vitamin A toxicity is usually caused by taking supplements or high-dose vitamin A medications over long periods. Rarely do people get too much vitamin A from their diet?

Excess vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause symptoms such as vision changes, bone swelling, dry and rough skin, mouth ulcers, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and confusion.

How much vitamin A do you need? Recommended daily consumption *

To meet the recommended intake and consuming the right amount of Vitamin A, and to make sure you really need a Vitamin A supplement, consult your physician before starting the vitamin, and adhere to the intake instructions.