We all know how essential vitamins are for us. They fuel our bodies to complete our daily tasks efficiently. A lack of any vitamin can lead to mild to severe complications, affecting the overall wellbeing. That’s why doctors and dieticians always advise you to include all the essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals in your regular diet.
Each Vitamin has a different role in our body. Some help in cell production, and growth, while others are responsible for processing energy in the body.
Have you ever thought about which vitamins are responsible for maintaining your vision health? Which Vitamin ensures the normal functioning of the immune system?
Well, the answer is Vitamin A. It is a generic term used for a group of fat-soluble compounds that aid in the functioning of various parts. You may have come across many claims about vitamin-A on the internet, but do you know what the reality is? Is it really beneficial, or is it just a myth? Let's explore!
What Is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a vital nutrient needed for many processes in the body. It helps generate pigments necessary for the retina's healthy functioning and promotes the normal functioning of other organs. It is a fat-soluble vitamin found in various natural foods and Vitamin A supplements.
Some most common organs that require Vitamin A to function properly are the liver, kidney, heart, lungs, etc. If a woman is pregnant, most doctors recommend a Vitamin A-rich diet, as it helps in the baby's growth in the womb. However, sometimes just food can not fill the gaps formed because of your irregular and unhealthy eating habits. In that case, it becomes essential to consume Vitamin A dietary supplements, like Vitamin A capsules, tablets, or energy drinks. However, tablets and capsules may not suit everyone. Therefore, it is better to consume those supplements that are easy to digest and are 100% free of side effects, such as mouth dissolving strips, gummies, etc.
What Are The Types Of Vitamin A?
The following are the two most common types of Vitamin A:
Preformed Vitamin A
Retinyl esters and retinal are Preformed Vitamin A. They are found in dairy products, chicken, fish, and meat. Since the body can use it in its purest form, it is also known as the active form of Vitamin A.
Provitamin A
The primary source of Provitamin A is plant-based products, vegetables, and fruits. One of the common forms of ProVitamin A carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is converted into retinol. The other two inactive forms of ProVitamin A are alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin.
What's The Recommended Dosage?
Because the amount of Vitamin A required by the body varies depending on age and gender, there is no single standard amount. So, before you buy any Vitamin A supplement, such as Vitamin A tablets for skin and other health-related functions, it's best to consult with your doctor, as a high dosage might harm your body, and a low dosage might not work efficiently.
In such cases, it is better to go with safe and light dietary supplements, such as gummies or mouth dissolving strips that mostly contain an average amount of Vitamin A needed by the body and are 100% safe to consume.
The following is the average daily recommended amount in micrograms (mcg) of Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE):
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) For Vitamin A
Male
Birth to 6 months - 400 mcg RAE
Children (In the age category of 4-8 years) - 400 mcg RAE
Boys (In the age category of 14-18 years) - 900 mcg RAE
Adult men - 900 mcg RAE
Female
Birth to 6 months - 400 mcg RAE
Children (In the age category of 4-8 years) - 400 mcg RAE
Girls (In the age category of 14-18 years) - 700 mcg RAE
Pregnant women - 770 mcg RAE
What Is The Importance Of Vitamin A In Our Health?
Defends Against Night Blindness And Age-Related Eye Problems
Vitamin A needs to be included in your diet if you don't want to struggle with vision problems caused due to age or other health issues. It helps maintain retinal cell health. The deficiency of this Vitamin may cause visual impairments and make tear ducts dry. Due to this, your eyes might look dehydrated.
In several cases, Vitamin A deficiency is caused by starvation; however, it can also occur in people who eat properly but do not consume enough Vitamin A-rich foods. Furthermore, night blindness can occur in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and retinal degeneration.
Vitamin A is also essential for maintaining a clear cornea, the eye's outer layer. Moreover, it is a component of Rhodopsin, a protein that allows your eye to see in low light.
Consumption of Vitamin A, whether through food or Vitamin A supplements, can slow down the deterioration of eyesight with age and avoid various eye-related disorders.
Helps In The Strengthening Of The Immune System
Since the epidemic, people have been more concerned about their immunity. And this increases people's interest in Vitamin A because it can help improve the functioning of the natural defense system. When your immune system is up to the mark, it is natural that your body will stay protected from several diseases.
Vitamin A directly works with the immune system, including the mucus barriers that act as the first layer of protection against bacteria in different body parts such as the gut, lungs, genitals, and eyes. Also, it helps produce white blood cells responsible for keeping bacteria at bay.
Maintains The Overall Health Of Skin And Hair
You have probably noticed hair care brands boasting about the presence of beta-carotene in their shampoo and conditioner. It is not just a marketing tactic; a beta-carotene is an inactive form of Vitamin A that aids in the growth of all body tissues, including skin and hair. That’s why people prefer consuming supplements rich in Vitamin A. Although you can consume Vitamin A capsules or Vitamin A tablets for skin and hair care, it is better to ask your dermatologist before having them. They might nourish your skin and hair, yet a high dosage can adversely affect your body.
It can also help treat acne, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects both men and women. People with this problem develop painful patches and blackheads on their face, back, and chest. These patches occur when the sebaceous glands become blocked with dead skin and oils. These glands generate sebum, an oily, waxy material, and increase the risk of acne formation by making it more challenging to eliminate dead skin cells from hair follicles, causing blockages.
Reduced Risk Of Cancer
When cells begin to multiply or divide uncontrollably, there are more chances of cancer development.
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases. A WHO 2020 report shows that cancer accounted for the death of around 10 million people that year.
Since Vitamin A is involved in cell growth and development, scientists are interested in its impact on cancer risk and its role in cancer prevention. The good news is that studies have indicated that Vitamin A usage may lower cancer risk.
People who consume a lot of beta-carotene have a lower risk of developing cancers such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, and others. However, these trials have not yielded conclusive evidence that Vitamin A can prevent cancer death.
Keeps The Bones Healthy
Protein, Calcium, and Vitamin D are essential nutrients for keeping healthy bones. However, adequate Vitamin A consumption is required for proper bone growth and development.
Vitamin A insufficiency has also been related to poor bone health; thus, eating enough of it is also required for proper bone growth and development.
Remember that your Vitamin A level alone does not determine your risk of fractures; other critical nutrients, such as Vitamin D, also play a role.
Here are the two types of cells affected by Vitamin A:
Osteoblasts: Bone-forming cells involved in the development and mineralization of bones. These cells are involved in the early stages of bone production and later bone remodeling. Furthermore, these cells are present on the surface of the bone as a densely packed sheath of cells.
Osteoclasts: Large multinucleated cells that degrade bone for remodeling. Extracellular matrix remodeling is primarily used to achieve this. These osteoclasts are produced with the help of Monocyte fusion, consisting of 2 to 12 nuclei.
Takeaway!
Vitamin A is one of the crucial vitamins that aid in the normal functioning of various body parts. Above are some common and valuable benefits of this potent Vitamin.
But it is recommended not to exceed the daily recommended amount of Vitamin A. According to the experts, consumption of Vitamin A beyond the recommended level can reduce bone density.
If you want to ensure that you take the right amount of Vitamin A, dietary supplements from BonAyu can be an ideal option for you. Our multivitamin strips and gummies contain the right amount of Vitamin A. They are easy to consume and light to digest. In a nutshell, these products are an excellent option to fulfill your body's daily Vitamin A needs.