RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Take 1 capsule daily with a meal, or as directed by health care
professional.
DESCRIPTION:
- Vitamin A is essential for night vision and for the proper
growth of skin and bones, and it is needed for the proper
development of male and female reproductive organs.
- Vitamin A is also important in the enhancement of the immune
system and it promotes healing.
- This vitamin is used in the treatment of acne, excessive
menstruation and gastrointestinal disorders, including peptic ulcer
and inflammatory bowel disease.
Recommended Daily Allowance:
- Dosage varies, depending on age.
Food Sources:
- Liver,
- eggs,
- butter,
- fish liver oil,
- dairy products.
Causes of Deficiency:
- Inadequate dietary intake,
- bile acid or pancreatic deficiency,
- liver disease,
- zinc deficiency.
Symptoms of Deficiency:
- Night blindness,
- dry eyes,
- eye infection,
- skin problems,
- slowed growth,
- reproductive failure,
- susceptibility to infection and disease (weak immune system).
Complementary Nutrients:
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- Although vitamin A is essential for proper growth of the
fetus, taking more than 5,000 IU per day is not recommended
during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Individuals with alcohol abuse and liver or kidney
disease should consult a health care practitioner before
using a vitamin A supplement.
- Since vitamin A is stored in the liver and fatty
tissues, high doses (more than 50,000 IU per day) can be
toxic.
- Vitamin A is normally distinguished by two forms:
retinol (or “preformed” vitamin A) and beta carotene (called
“provitamin A”); therefore, individuals must consider both
sources of viamin A when calculating their total daily
intake.
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