The Basics of Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also known as retinol or carotenoids, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It’s function is that of vitamin that helps form and maintain healthy teeth, soft tissue, mucous membranes, as well as the skin. it’s known as the retionol because of the pigments in the retina of the eye that it produces.

Vitamin A is great for promoting good vision, particularly in low light. It may also be needed for reproducing and breast feeding.

Retinol is a type of vitamin A that is active, and is found in animal liver, some fortified foods, and whole milk. On the other hand, carotenoids are dark colored dyes that are found in plant foods that can convert into a form of vitamin A. One kind of such a carotenoid is an antioxidant known as beta-carotene. This is good for your body because of the role that antioxidants play in protecting your cells from cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are believe to be partly responsible for some chronic diseases and cause degenerative processes that can be seen in aging.

Vitamin A is derived from animal sources that include meat, milk, eggs, cheese, liver, cream, cod, halibut fish oil, and kidneys. Keep in mind though, all of these sources with the exception of skim milk is high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

May 2nd, 2008