Vitamin A – for healthy eyes and skin.

Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, skin and bones. Vitamin A is an antioxidant reducing cell damage and ensuring the normal function of the immune system. It come in two forms:

1. Preformed Vitamin A

   Found in animal products and includes the compounds retinol, retinal and retinoic acid.

2. Provitamin A

   This is the inactive form of Vitamin A found in plants (alpha carotene, beta carotene and beta cryptoxanthin) which is converted into retinol in the small intestine.

Follow these tips to maintain a good level of Vitamin A:

Tip 1

Food

Preformed Vitamin A: Meat, chicken, fish and dairy.

Provitamin A: Carrot, sweet potato, winter squash, cantaloupe, apricots, spinach and kale.

Tip 2

Supplements

Vitamin A is usually included as part of a multivitamin. Because Vitamin A is stored in the body it is important to stay within the recommended dose – Men 900mcg, Women 700mcg.

Tip 3

Skin

The skin is able to readily absorb Vitamin A when applied topically. Retinol stimulates the production of skin cells and is used to treat acne in both adolescents and adults. It also stimulates collagen production so is effective at reducing wrinkles.