Learn The Facts About Vitamin A and Reap The Many Health Benefits

There are many facts about vitamin A, but the most important of all is that this essential vitamin is necessary to maintain healthy vision, promote strong bones and bolster the immune system. The first in the alphabet of vitamins, A – which can be broken down into two main compounds, retinol and carotenoids – is a building block of good nutrition and can be an important defense against many illnesses.

Vitamin A functions as an immuno-booster and also helps to grow healthy surface linings in the eyes and the body’s main tracts, including the respiratory, urinary and intestinal systems. The stronger these linings are, the better equipped the body is to stave off illness-causing bacteria and viruses.

At its core, vitamin A helps to strengthen the body from the inside out, better enabling us to withstand the rigors of daily life and preventing us from developing many crippling ailments including osteoporosis, lung diseases, and many digestive disorders.

Generally, vitamin A can be found in two forms. Preformed vitamin A, or retinol, is found in animal-based foods such as beef and calf liver and dairy products such as cheese, milk and eggs. Provitamin A, or carotenoid, is found in fruits and vegetables.

The facts about vitamin a suggest that the best plant-based sources of carotenoids include carrots, spinach, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes. A diet containing at least five servings of vegetables, fruits and dairy products will generally provide a healthy adult with the necessary level of vitamin A.

Though vitamin A deficiency is an uncommon problem in developed countries, for those whose diet doesn’t provide the proper amount of vitamin-rich foods, comprehensive dietary supplements can help to balance levels and provide necessary positive results. Since vitamin A functions as an immuno-booster, anyone who is ill, particularly those suffering from immune system disorders, can benefit greatly by maintaining proper levels of the vitamin in their system.

The facts about vitamin A also suggest that it can promote good vision and prevent vision disorders such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Most of us grew up with grandmothers who told us that eating carrots would help us to see well. Modern science has since proven that our grandmothers knew what they were talking about. The retinol in carrots and other yellow vegetables does indeed strengthen the eyes and can help to improve overall vision.

As an antioxidant, vitamin A can help to rid the body of excess free radicals and improve the ability to stave off disease and live a longer, healthier life. There is some indication that it can help to prevent or treat some forms of cancer as well as helping to prevent the onset of osteoporosis by strengthening bone mass. Just how much it helps in these areas is not known, but it is still considered vitally important to maintain a healthy level of vitamin A.

Though the facts about vitamin A are not all known, it has been proven that certain conditions can lead to a breakdown of vitamin a in the body. These conditions include excess alcohol intake and the presence of diseases which prevent normal absorption of fat such as Celiac Disease and Crohn’s disease. Patients with these diseases will likely need to take a supplement of some kind to bolster the natural amount of vitamin a in their bodies. Some vegetarians who refrain from eating dairy products may also need to boost their vitamin a intake to ensure they are getting the necessary amount.

There is no mystery why vitamin A is at the top of every supplement list. This complex vitamin is the foundation of a healthy body and the key to living strong and living long. If you are lacking in vitamin a, then a comprehensive dietary supplement may be the right choice for you. Help your body to function at its best by giving it what it needs. Start living healthy today with vitamin a!

Find out more facts about Vitamin A

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