Vitamin A, or RETINOL in other words, was discovered by several scientists at the beginning of the twentieth century. It was almost the first vitamin that became known to mankind. It was designated "fat-soluble factor A", since it was not saponified under the influence of alkali. This is where the name "vitamin A" comes from. Scientists of those times were able to find out that the substance is associated with lipoids, helps animals grow. They also found out what contains vitamin A: butter, eggs and some dairy products.
Few people know that in addition to the second name - RETINOL - the vitamin has several other names: anti-infectious vitamin, antixerophthalmic, dehydroretinol.
The substance itself exists in two forms:
- ready-made form (actually vitamin A - RETINOL);
- provitamin A (carotene): a vegetable analogue of the vitamin, which already in the body becomes RETINOL.
Retinol is a pale yellow color that comes from a red plant pigment called beta-carotene. One of the advantages of the substance is its resistance to high temperatures. Therefore, after heat treatment, it will not lose most of its useful properties (only fifteen to thirty percent). True, if you store the product for a long time in the air, it will easily collapse.
Vitamin A properties
This substance can form the following compounds:
- RETINOIC ACID;
- RETINOL;
- RETINOLACETATE;
- RETINAL;
- RETINOL PALMITATE.
Vitamin A itself is an unsaturated cyclic alcohol. It is able to oxidize inside the body and form RETinoic acid and A-aldehyde in this way.
Already in past centuries, scientists have tried to find out where vitamin A can be contained. It turned out that its amount in animal products primarily depends on whether the animal itself consumed this vitamin. For this reason, this vitamin is much less in cow's oil than in fish oil, since fish feed on plant plankton rich in vitamin A.
Vitamin A (CAROTENE) is found in large quantities in foods:
- carrots;
- red rowan;
- parsley;
- pumpkin;
- sweet pepper;
- tomatoes;
- spinach;
- broccoli;
- green peas;
- green onions;
- peaches;
- apricots;
- apples;
- grapes;
- watermelons;
- melons;
- wild rose.
The listed products are sources of carotenoid, that is, vitamin A of plant origin.
There are also products of animal origin, which contain vitamin A (retinol) in large quantities:
- fish fat;
- liver (primarily beef);
- butter;
- eggs (especially yolks);
- cream;
- milk (whole);
Grain products, as well as skimmed milk (even with vitamin supplements) cannot be full-fledged sources of retinol, since they contain the substance in minimal concentrations.
The largest amount of vitamin A is found in the products below.
Table of foods high in vitamin A.
| Products | The amount of vitamin A in 100 g of product (mcg) | The content of the daily norm of vitamin in 100 g of the product (%) |
| Fish oil (from cod liver) | 25,000 mcg | 2500 % |
| Beef liver | 8,367 mcg | 836 % |
| Cod liver (canned) | 4400 mcg | 440 % |
| Carrot | 2000 mcg | 200 % |
| red rowan | 1500 mcg | 150 % |
| Acne | 1200 mcg | 120 % |
| parsley | 950 mcg | 95 % |
| Chicken egg yolk | 920 mcg | 92 % |
What is Vitamin A for?
Vitamin A plays an important role in the body. It helps to keep intact the cells that form the mucous membranes and skin, promotes the rapid healing of wounds, scratches and other injuries. It also prevents early keratinization and death of skin cells. Therefore, many cosmetics manufacturers include it or similar substances in their products.
Retinol- This is one of the most essential vitamins for the eyes. After all, it plays a significant role in the process of photoreception: it provides the possibility of clear twilight, color and light vision.
At the same time, this vitamin is a powerful antioxidant, so they are effective in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Daily intake of vitamin A
To determine how much vitamin A the body needs, it is necessary to pay attention to the age and condition of the person. In children, men, women (especially pregnant and lactating), this figure will be different.
In children, the consumption rate will vary depending on age:
- infants from birth to six months need 400 mcg per day;
- after six months and up to a year - 500 mcg per day;
- from one to three years - 300 mcg;
- from four to eight years - 400 mcg;
- from nine to thirteen years - 600 mcg.
The male population requires 900 micrograms of retinol (or 3,000 IU) from 14 to 70 years of age.
In women, the daily norm is smaller: from 14 to 70 years old - 700 mcg (or 2,300 IU). But at the same time, the indicator changes during pregnancy or breastfeeding:
- pregnant women under 19 require 750 mcg;
- pregnant women over 19 - 770 mcg;
- lactating women under 19 years old - 1200 mcg;
- lactating mothers over 19 years old - 1300 mcg.
If a person is diagnosed with a disease associated with a lack of vitamin A, then the dose is often increased to 10 thousand IU per day.
Often unable to meet daily allowance vitamin A only through food. Therefore, a third of the daily allowance can be obtained from pharmacy supplements, and two-thirds from natural products.
Vitamin A deficiency: symptoms
Vitamin A deficiency can be expressed in the body in different ways: it all depends on the stage and severity of the condition. Signs can be expressed for a long time, appearing in turn.
There are 3 stages in the development of beriberi associated with vitamin A.
- primary stage. The functioning of some internal organs or systems may be disrupted. But this is not expressed clearly. A person feels tired, his working capacity decreases, the body loses its tone, and gets sick more often. Only laboratory tests will help to establish the cause and identify vitamin deficiency at this stage.
- Secondary stage. Clinically, you can establish a lack of elements. A person is exposed to a disease associated with a weakened immune system.
- Third stage. There is a complete deficiency of the vitamin, the ability of its absorption into the body is impaired. There are diseases associated with the lack of the required amount of retinol. Their treatment begins only after the restoration of the required amount of vitamin in the body.
Vitamin A - symptoms of hypovitaminosis:
- wrinkles appear early, the skin ages quickly, dandruff forms;
- "night blindness" - a person does not see well when it gets dark;
- the skin becomes dry, the skin is covered with acne;
- the condition of the teeth worsens;
- interrupted sleep, insomnia;
- tendency to apathy, fatigue;
- mucus and crusts accumulate in the corners of the eyes;
- reproductive disorders in men and women;
- the occurrence of foci of infections in the intestine;
- the appearance of a cyst in the liver;
- increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Vitamin A deficiency in children is caused by the following conditions:
- decreased immunity;
- slow growth;
- fatigue;
- pale and dry skin;
- color blindness;
- chicken blindness.
In women, a lack of retinol leads to the development of mastopathy, cervical erosion, in men, erection and libido are lost, and urinary incontinence is possible. Sometimes, with a lack of this element, the development of lung cancer, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis is also possible.
Therefore, with any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact doctor to eliminate vitamin deficiency, as this is much easier to do than to treat a serious illness.
How to treat vitamin A deficiency?
With its deficiency, it is necessary to start treatment on time in order to prevent serious pathologies in the body from developing. First of all, the doctor prescribes therapeutic procedures to make up for his deficiency. Vitamin deficiency is treated in the following ways.
- Eliminate nutritional deficiencies. It is regulated, it becomes balanced. Be sure to eat foods high in carotene and retinol.
- Vitamin A preparations are prescribed. They will help eliminate beriberi in a few weeks. It is impossible to choose the medicine yourself, since it is prescribed taking into account the stage of hypovitaminosis and the patient's condition.
- Treatment of comorbidities. The lack of an element can be the cause of many diseases, up to the formation of tumors. It is for this reason that it is worth immediately starting treatment at the first symptoms.
Vitamin A: which is better to take?
Naturally, the best vitamin A is the one that enters the body as part of natural products. But it is impossible to eat so much food for an ordinary person, because some of the elements have to be obtained from vitamin complexes.
Preparations with this element are presented as capsules (one and a half milligrams each), dragees (1 milligram each), oil solutions (for injection and oral administration), as well as retinol concentrates as part of fish oil.
Usually, drugs of chemical origin are rarely prescribed by a doctor, only in cases where the patient does not have the opportunity to eat well. In other situations, it is advised to deal with an undesirable condition with the help of an appropriate diets.
Vitamin A analysis
Blood for vitamin A should be taken in almost the same way as for others. The analysis determines the content of retinol, the primary form vitamin A A.
Blood is taken from a vein, measurements are carried out using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).
Before taking a blood test for vitamin A, you can not eat for at least two hours, but it is allowed to drink water without gas, additives and sweeteners. Smoking is prohibited half an hour before the tests.
This kind of study is prescribed for night blindness and pathologies that prevent the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. It is also often prescribed to determine the level of toxicity caused by excessive intake of vitamin A.
Normal is the amount of vitamin in the blood, equal to 0.3 - 0.8 mcg / ml. This means that there is enough vitamin in the body at the time of blood sampling. A lower level of retinol indicates the depletion of the body's resources. Elevated levels indicate that the body cannot store more vitamin A, and its excesses are in the blood and accumulate in various tissues of the body, thereby poisoning them.
Vitamin A for children
Parents are often interested in “which vitamins contain vitamin A” and which drug is better to give to a child for prevention.
Often drugs in pharmacies contain only vitamin A or its combination with vitamin E. They can be taken only after the diagnosis of hypovitaminosis A, therefore they cannot be taken on their own.
Vitamin A: what to take for prevention
On their own, parents can give their baby vitamin A preparations only as part of multivitamin complexes, which can be taken to prevent hypovitaminosis of various substances. In them, usually the dose of vitamin A is such that there can be no overdose, as well as a shortage of the substance. Vitamin A can be bought in pharmacies in multivitamin complexes "Multi tabs", "Jungle", "Pikovit", "Complivit" and some others.
What vitamin A can you buy for a child? An excellent choice would be preparations with beta-carotene, as it will turn into retinol in the baby's body. But its advantage is that an overdose of beta-carotene is not dangerous for children - their skin color will simply change. The original color will return quickly after discontinuation of the drug. The Vetoron preparations (this is vitamin A in drops), the Alfavit complex and the Supradin Kids gel are very successful.
Forms of release of the drug for children are different. Vitamin A supplements for children come in a variety of forms. For the smallest children, it is very convenient to use drops, and multivitamin capsules are given to children over 7 years old, since they should be swallowed.
The sweetest versions of vitamin A supplements, such as delicious gel, multivitamin syrup, or chewable tablets, are the most popular in childhood.
Indications
Multivitamins, including retinol or provitamin A, are prescribed:
With a decrease in the content of vitamins and beta-carotene in food (this is observed in winter and in spring).
With an imbalance in the child's diet (especially if the menu is low in fat and protein).
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that impair the absorption of vitamins (colitis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, and others).
With increased stress on the child's body, for example, when playing sports.
The use of the drug "Aevit", retinol in capsules or in solution is indicated only for beriberi A. The use of an oily solution of carotene as a lotion is in demand for burns, heavily healing wounds, ulcers, eczema and other skin problems, as well as stomatitis.
Vitamin A is known as the "children's vitamin". But all people are partially children, so everyone needs a vitamin without exception.
So, vitamin A is fat soluble, can accumulate in the body, namely in the liver, so there is no need to replenish it every day. But you need to know that vitamin A and carotene have remarkable properties - accumulation. Their reserves in the body can remain up to a year or more, which is why it is important to stock them up during the summer season, since summer is the main source of vitamin A and carotene.
The value and role of vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis, is important in the formation of bones, teeth and hair. With a lack of vitamin, physical development and growth stops, the condition of the skin worsens, especially for children and adolescents. If a small child begins to be intensively fed with vitamin A, then his height will increase rapidly. Also, this vitamin contributes to normal metabolism and the functioning of the immune system, slows down the aging process of the body, and thanks to its antioxidant properties, prevents cardiovascular diseases. It ensures the adaptation of the eyes to different illumination of the environment and the normal functioning of the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory, digestive systems and urinary tract. Widely used in cosmetic preparations to maintain the skin in good condition, it is used in skin treatment, wound healing and sunburn. Prolongs the life of AIDS patients.
The main functions of vitamin A:- increases attention, accelerates the speed of reactions;
- increases the body's resistance to infections;
- promotes the growth and strengthening of bones, teeth, gums, hair;
- prevents visual impairment at dusk;
- has anti-cancer and antioxidant effects.
Daily requirement of vitamin A
The recommended daily allowance for vitamin A is:- for adults 800 - 1000 mcg;
- for pregnant women 1000 - 1200 mcg;
- for nursing mothers 1200 - 1400 mcg;
- for children 400 - 1000 mcg (depending on age and gender).
What foods contain vitamin A (sources)
Plant foods containing vitamin A
Hawthorn, dandelion, sea buckthorn, carrot, rowanberry, dried rosehip, viburnum, sorrel, broccoli, green onion, lettuce, parsley greens, pepper, pumpkin, apricot, tomatoes, black-fruited mountain ash, Japanese persimmon, dill, celery greens, oil creamy, peaches, melon.
Vitamin A is found in animal products:
Fat-rich and fortified dairy products, egg yolk, liver (especially beef), fish oil, caviar, margarine.
The name of the products is written in descending order according to the amount of vitamin A in it.
(the data is rather conditional, the content of vitamins and minerals may differ depending on the soil where the product grew)
Interaction and compatibility of vitamin A
Protects vitamin A from oxidation and increases its absorption. In turn, vitamin A promotes the absorption of zinc, and zinc increases the absorption of vitamin A, so these two substances are highly interdependent. In no case should you combine carotene with alcohol or alcohol-based drugs, these combinations can cause severe harm to your liver. Also, you can not simultaneously use vitamin A with retinoids, hyperlipidemic and laxatives to prevent unpleasant consequences.
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms
Possible symptoms of vitamin A deficiency:- lack of appetite;
- brittle, slow growing nails;
- dry, brittle hair, dandruff;
- dry skin, skin rash, wrinkles;
- increased sensitivity of tooth enamel;
- decreased immunity, frequent infections;
- weakened erection;
- insomnia;
- exhaustion;
- respiratory infections;
- blurred vision;
- poor night vision, (night blindness);
- dry conjunctiva of the eye;
- violations of the growth process in children;
- infertility.
Symptoms of an overdose of vitamin A
Possible symptoms of vitamin A overdose:- bleeding gums;
- headache;
- nausea;
- dry skin;
- diarrhea;
- depression;
- in pregnant women, spontaneous abortions and fetal malformations are possible.
Content:
The importance of this vitamin What is the danger of its deficiency. Daily rate. What products does it contain?
The answer to the question - "what foods contain vitamin A" - is not as simple as it might seem at first. Let's analyze what is meant by this element and where it can be found.
Varieties
The term refers to several different but similar nutrients that can be divided into two main categories:
- Retinoids (or retinol) is a biologically available form of the vitamin found in animal foods.
- Carotenoids- provitamin A, present in plant foods.
The only type of this element that the human body can use relatively easily is retinoids. Common foods containing retinol include liver and eggs. If we consume carotenoids found in plant foods, then the body will need to convert them into a biologically available form, that is, into retinol, in order to be used further. If you are in excellent health, then there will be no problems with this process.
There may be a number of factors that can hinder the body's ability to absorb carotenoids and convert them to retinol. These issues include:
- genetic factors;
- problems with the digestive system;
- alcohol consumption;
- certain types of medicines;
- exposure to toxins;
- certain diseases that interfere with the digestion of fats (for example, granulomatous disease, cystic fibrosis, diseases of the gallbladder and liver).
For most people, this transformation is very difficult. To the greatest extent, this applies to infants, diabetics and people experiencing problems with bile formation. Also, this kind of ability depends on the general composition of the human diet. In people using a low-fat diet, the effectiveness of this process will be clearly low.
Many people think that vitamin A is just beta-carotene. At the same time, people often think that by consuming a sufficient amount of carrots and some other plant products, they provide themselves with this element. But if your body is not able to fully convert carotenoids into retinol, then avoiding animal foods (for example, with a vegetarian diet) can lead to a deficiency of this substance.
Scarcity Risks
This vitamin is important for vision, immune system function, and cell growth. It works in conjunction with other vitamins and minerals including D, K2, zinc and magnesium.
Usually, the population of developed countries rarely encounter a shortage of this element. The earliest sign of deficiency is night blindness, which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. Deficiency of this compound also suppresses the immune system, which can cause complications from infectious diseases. Other consequences are:
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Infertility.
- affective disorders.
- Skin problems (such as eczema and acne).
- Thyroid dysfunction.
Vegetarians and alcoholics are among the most deficient populations.
Element Importance
Vitamin A is very important for good vision, especially for preventing age-related changes in the cornea. It affects vision primarily through the regulation of gene expression. For this mechanism to work correctly, it is necessary to convert retinol to retinal and then to retinoic acid.
To optimize metabolism, it is important to eat natural foods that are rich in vitamins in general, and not just A.
What products have it?
As in the case of other elements, it is not just the fact of its presence in the product that is important, but the level of its concentration. Here is a list of foods rich in vitamin A.
- Beef liver - 8,2 .
- Chicken eggs - 0,25 .
- Butter - 0,4 .
- Whole cow's milk - 0,03 .
- Cream - 0,06 .
- Fresh fish - 0,05 .
Sources of provitamin A (carotenoids):
- Carrot - 9,0 .
- Parsley - 5,7 .
- Rose hip - 2,6 .
- Dill - 4,0 .
- Salad - 1,75 .
Several studies have shown that taking vitamin A supplements in excess of acceptable levels can be toxic to the body, increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. For this reason, it is safer to use foods containing the vitamin rather than supplements.
The risk of toxic effects is especially high when using dietary supplements containing a biologically available form - retinol or retinoic acid. Signs of such an impact include:
- Hair loss.
- Confusion of consciousness.
- Osteoporosis.
- Liver damage.
Daily dose
- Daily allowance for adult men and women - 900 And 700 mcg respectively.
- In pregnant women it is 750–770 mcg, and in lactating women it is almost twice as high - 1200–1300 .
- In children, the picture is the opposite - only 300–400 mcg/day.
Conclusion
The element in question is necessary for the normal functioning of many organs and systems of the body. Vitamin A is found in both plant and animal products. Their correct selection, as well as the use of any nutritional supplements, require prudence and knowledge of the current state of health of a particular person.
Retinol (vitaminA ) supports the protective functions of the body, prolongs youth and beauty of the skin. Its deficiency leads to many health problems. This can be avoided by knowing the exact daily intake of retinol, which products contain it in the largest quantities.
The role of vitamin A is to maintain proper metabolism and normal function of the immune system. This component in the form of retinol is found in the skin, hair, teeth, bones, muscles, regulates the process of regeneration and tissue growth.
It has the unique ability to limit the negative effects of free radicals on the body. Due to this property, this most important organic compound for humans resists the growth of cancerous (malignant) cells, and significantly slows down the aging process. Retinol increases the effectiveness of other antioxidants, in particular vitamins of group E.
Value for skin health
Skin tissues and mucous membranes need vitamin A not only as an element that supports their functionality, but also as a substance that helps to restore the epidermis and mucous membranes after receiving various kinds of damage. This is due to the fact that this compound improves the production of collagen, which is a building material for connective tissues in the human body.
Anti-aging cosmetics and those intended for the treatment of skin problems, as a rule, contain retinoids, a synthetic analogue of vitamin A. These are not only creams and lotions, but also pharmaceutical preparations for stretch marks and rashes.
Daily requirement for vitamin A
Based on age and gender. A child needs about 300-400, a teenager - 600, an adult woman - 700, a man - 900 mcg. Pregnant and lactating women need much more retinol.
Vitamin A accumulates in the tissues of the body and its excessive intake with food is fraught with poisoning. The safe upper limit of the daily allowance for children is 900 mcg, for adults - 3000 mcg. At one time it is allowed to use no more than 9000 mcg. Higher dosage is fraught with poisoning.
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms
The diet of a typical city dweller is cutlets, sausages and other semi-finished meat products, white rice, pasta, bread, buckwheat and other grains. Such a diet does not allow you to get vitamin A in the required amount, which leads to its lack. The situation is further exacerbated by the consumption of low-fat foods.
A constant lack of retinol negatively affects the protective functions of the body. Reduced immunity leads to the fact that a person is more likely to get colds, infectious diseases, and lose visual acuity. The latter is especially true at night. The nail plate and hair become brittle, and the skin becomes excessively dry. The appearance of dandruff testifies to the lack of this important organic compound.
Vitamin A content in foods
Vitamin A is found in several variations. They have a different chemical structure and are absorbed in the body in different percentages. The following foods contain true provitamin A: eggs, butter, whole milk, fatty cottage cheese, cheese, fish liver, caviar.
Fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene. In the process of digestion, it turns into vitamin A, which is absorbed much worse than retinol of animal origin. One microgram of beta-carotene, found in a carrot or pumpkin, can be 1/12 or even 1/24 microgram of retinol, which is present in the liver of marine fish.
To prevent deficiency or overdose of retinol, you need to know its content in various food groups.
Table of vitamin A content in products
| Product | Vitamin A content per 100 g | Daily Value Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Cod liver oil | 30,000 mcg | 3333% |
| Liver (turkey) | 8000 mcg | 895% |
| Liver (beef, pork, fish) | 6500 mcg | 720% |
| Liver (chicken) | 3300 mcg | 370% |
| Sweet red pepper | 2100 mcg | 230% |
| Sweet Potato - Sweet Potato | 1000 mcg | 110% |
| Carrot | 830 mcg | 93% |
| Broccoli | 800 mcg | 90% |
| Butter | 680 mcg | 75% |
| Green salad | 550 mcg | 63% |
| Spinach | 470 mcg | 52% |
| Pumpkin | 430 mcg | 43% |
| Cheese (Cheder) | 265 mcg | 30% |
| Melon | 170 mcg | 20% |
| Eggs (chicken) | 140 mcg | 16% |
| Apricot | 100 mcg | 16% |
| Tomatoes | 40 mcg | 5% |
| polka dots | 38 mcg | 4% |
| Milk (regular) | 30 mcg | 3% |
| Green pepper | 18 mcg | 2% |
The most affordable and richest vitaminAthe product is a carrot. Beta-carotene present in this vegetable gives it a characteristic reddish hue. To fully meet the daily requirement for retinol, both an adult and a child need to eat two medium carrots daily.
Vitamin A overdose
Intoxication with retinol when using products of plant origin is unlikely. The amount of vitamin A in the table above is shown in its pure form, that is, the data does not need to be divided by "12" or "24", since in the end the percentage absorption will be slightly lower.
The real danger is the combination of a diet rich in vitamins and retinol capsules. Further aggravating the situation is that the symptoms of hypervitaminosis with retinol, without consulting a specialist, can be mistaken for beriberi (lack) of vitamin A.
Conclusion
VitaminA- the most important element for maintaining the health of various tissues of the body at the cellular level and the immune system. Most of all, it is found in the liver of animals, carrots, sweet potatoes and sweet red peppers, and many green plants.
Vitamins are one of the main components of maintaining human health. However, the body almost does not reproduce them on its own. Food is the source of matter.
There are several groups of vitamins, each of which has its own functions. Consider in detail vitamin A, aka retinol.
What is Vitamin A for?
Vitamin A is the main source of beauty and healthy immunity. Retinol is a component of many body tissues, controls the process of their growth and renewal.
Vitamin A takes part in the synthesis of proteins - the main building material of our body and ensures proper metabolism. It regulates the healthy functioning of body cells. Daily intake of vitamin A has a positive effect on the health of the skin, hair and vision, as well as the immune system.
List of foods containing vitamin A
To get the required dose of vitamins, it is important to consider the amount of their content in foods. If you do not get enough vitamin A from food, you can get it from pharmaceutical preparations. Doctors recommend resorting to this method in extreme cases, since the vitamins that a person receives from food are absorbed much better.
List of foods high in vitamin A - per 100 gr. and percentage of daily dose:
| Product | Amount in mcg | Percent |
Herbal Products |
||
| Red bell pepper | 2100 | 230% |
| Sweet potato | 1000 | 110% |
| Carrot | 830 | 93% |
| Broccoli | 800 | 90% |
| Pumpkin | 430 | 43% |
| Melon | 170 | 20% |
| Apricot | 100 | 16% |
Animal Products |
||
| Cod liver | 30000 | 3300% |
| Turkey liver | 8000 | 900% |
| Beef liver | 6500 | 720% |
| Oil | 680 | 75% |
| chicken eggs | 140 | 16% |
| Milk | 30 | 3% |
Vitamin A performs many functions in our body. Let's take a closer look at what it is useful for and how it affects the body.
For skin
Vitamin A takes part in the synthesis of collagen, ensuring the correct regeneration process. So, it helps to maintain the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Vitamin A is included in many cosmetic anti-aging products for facial skin. In addition, it is an essential substance in the treatment of skin diseases - acne, pimples and psoriasis. With skin damage - cuts and burns - vitamin A is indispensable, as it promotes rapid cell division and, accordingly, rapid healing.
For hair
Vitamin A is part of the structure of the hair and affects their health. It not only provides strength and beauty to the hair, but also protects them from ultraviolet radiation.
With a lack of vitamin A, the hair becomes dry, brittle, weak, and dandruff appears. For best results, combine it with a regular scalp massage - this will make the hair thick, shiny, strong.
For vision
Good vision is largely due to vitamin A. It ensures the proper functioning of the visual analyzer, the synthesis of retinal pigment and is involved in the perception of light. It protects the eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
A lack of vitamin A can lead to vision problems, especially in the dark. Remember that you need to protect your eyesight in a timely manner - poor eyesight cannot be returned by taking vitamins.
For the immune system
Vitamin A keeps the entire immune system healthy. It ensures the correct process of cell renewal and their rapid growth, thereby maintaining the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin. Vitamin helps fight many types of viruses and infections. Protects against the effects of free radicals.
Vitamin A can be prescribed by a doctor in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
children
Vitamin A is essential for growing organisms. It ensures the healthy functioning of young cells, which is important for a growing body. Considering that children can often injure the skin during outdoor games, vitamin A will contribute to the rapid healing of wounds.
Regular intake of a daily dose of vitamin A has a positive effect on the development of the baby's vision.
Daily intake of vitamin A
The daily intake of vitamin A depends on the gender and age of the person. The dose of an infant is 400 mcg. For babies 1-5 years old - 450 mcg, children 6-11 years old - 500-700 mcg.
For women
In girls 11-18 years old, the daily norm is 800 mcg. The daily dose of vitamin A for an adult woman is 900 mcg.
For men
Young men 11-18 years old need to consume 1000 micrograms of vitamin A per day, and adult men - 900 micrograms.
During pregnancy
The daily requirement of vitamin A for a pregnant woman is 1000 mcg. During the feeding period - 1300 mcg.
What is dangerous overdose of vitamin A
Vitamin A is of great benefit to our body. However, everything must be in moderation. An overdose of vitamin A leads to hypervitaminosis. Its symptoms:
- nausea;
- hair growth disorder;
- abdominal pain;
- enlarged liver;
- a sharp decrease in appetite;
- inflammation of the cornea of the eye;
- fragility of bones in the elderly;
- impaired fetal development in pregnant women.
How to take liquid vitamin A
With a lack of vitamin A in the body, the doctor may prescribe an additional intake of the drug in capsules or tablets for oral administration to improve vision and regeneration processes, or liquid for external use.
Liquid vitamin A is often used for beauty treatments. It helps to smooth the skin, making it firmer and more elastic. The drug is added to masks in beauty salons. Also, liquid vitamin A is used to quickly heal the skin in case of damage.
Before you start taking the drug, you should consult with your doctor. He will determine the required dosage of the drug and tell you how to take it correctly.
