Vitamin A:

Fat soluble – can be stored in a body and need not be replenished every day.

Vitamin A is a name of a group of vitamins:

• preformed vitamin A – retinol and its esterified form, retinyl ester
• provitamin A carotenoids, known as carotenoids, precursor of vitamin A which our body must convert into vitamin A, the most important provitamin A carotenoid is beta-carotene; another provitamin A carotenoids are alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. These are plant pigments.

Both provitamin A and preformed vitamin A must be metabolized intracellularly to retinal and retinoic acid, the active forms of vitamin A, to support the vitamin’s important biological functions. Other carotenoids such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are not converted into vitamin A.

Vitamin A is measured in

• USP (United States Pharmacopeic)
• IU (International Units)
• RF (Retinol Equivalence).

Vitamin A role:

– bone growth, strong bones,

– healthy skin, hair, teeth, gums

– healthy skin, teeth, and gums

– reproduction

– immune system health

– help the skin and mucous membranes repel bacteria and viruses more effectively

– healthy vision/eye health

– build resistance against respiratory infection

– help in removal of age spots.

Vitamin A is readily destroyed upon exposure to heat, light, or air.

*** As per Pharmacy Doctor Earl Mindel, vitamin A works best with B complex, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Zinc is what is needed by the liver to get vitamin A out of its storage deposits.

A deficiency of vitamin A can lead to a loss of vitamin C.

Sources of vitamin A and pro-vitamin A carotenoids in vegetables and fruits:

• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Kale
• Spinach
• Apricots
• Broccoli
• Winter Squash