Health and WellnessVitamins & Nutrition Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene

Vitamin A (also known as Retinol) is derived from preformed retinoids and provitamin carotenoids. Retinoids are found in animal sources like liver, kidney, eggs, and dairy produce, while carotenoids (beta-carotene) are found in plant sources e.g. dark or yellow vegetables, carrots.

Found in?

Yellow and orange fruit and vegetables (spinach, carrots, parsley, yams), egg yolk.

Functions?

Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin and good eyesight. It is also said to aid cellular growth and development, prevent some types of cancer and enhance the immune system.

Good for?

Colds, healthy skin, acne, good eyesight, growth in children, cancer prevention.

Deficiency symptoms, adverse effects?

Overdose in Vitamin A is toxic. Any excess Vitamin A not used by the body is stored in body fat and liver, which if accumulated, can become toxic. Excess Beta-carotene is eliminated by the body so it is not so toxic.

Too little vitamin A causes skin problems. Too much beta-carotene causes orange skin!