Interesting facts about vitamin A you should know
This article was written to provide you with some interesting facts about vitamin A you should know. First off Vitamin A, also known as Retinol, was identified in 1907 when comparing rats that ate food with protein and lard in it and rats that ate food with egg yolk or butterfat. The rats that had the high diet of Vitamin A (egg yolk or butterfat) thrived and grew and the other ones did not, though they could recover with supplemental foods.
Only animal fats contain vitamin A. Good sources are cod liver oil, egg yolks, butter, raw whole milk, and liver. Animals must have carotene or vitamin A sources in their diets in order to produce vitamin A and pass it on to humans. There are no plant sources of vitamin A; therefore animal fat sources of vitamin A are essential for most of the population.
Vitamin A functions
- Proper mucous membrane function
- Growth and repair of body tissues
- Efficient digestion of protein
- Promotes good eyesight
- Promotes strong bones and teeth
Vitamin A food sources
- High in fat foods
- Whole milk products
- Eggs
- Liver
- Cod liver oil
Vitamin A Dosage: The recommended daily amount (RDA)
Adults – 3,000 IU per day
Children – 1,000-2,000 IU depending on their age (1,000 at one year of age, 2,000 by age nine).
Health Conditions Vitamin A is a known benefit for
- Anemia
- Childhood diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Infections
- Leukoplakia
- Measles
- Night blindness
- Symptoms of deficiency
- Poor night vision
- Dry skin
- Increased infections
- Metaplasia (a precancerous condition)
- Low birth weight in babies
- Conditions prone to deficiency
- Aids
- Positive HIV
- Hypothyroidism
- Old people with type 2 diabetes
These are just a few interesting facts about vitamin A you should know, as they are important to your life and well being. They are however a small stepping stone and you should constantly be seeking ways to enjoy a better and healthier life.
