What are the Health Benefits of Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that can be obtained from food and supplements. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A is 800μg. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin also known as retinol. It has many essential functions for the human body.

Sources of vitamin A

Many of the basic staples in your diet, such as meat, milk, eggs and cheese, are excellent sources of vitamin A. Other animal sources include kidney, liver, cod and oily fish. Some people may wish to supplement their diets to support their intakes of vitamin A. A supplement like Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil plus multivitamins can help support good everyday health. It provides vitamin A and vitamin C to support the normal function of the immune system, vitamin B12 for normal energy release and biotin for normal psychological function.

Fruit and Vegetable Sources

Another way to ensure your vitamin A intake is through plant-based beta carotene, as your body can convert it into the retinol form of vitamin A. This is especially helpful for vegetarians and vegans who consume fewer animal-based foods. The primary food sources are yellow, red and green (leafy) vegetables such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and red peppers. If you are looking for something sweet, opt for yellow fruit such as mango, papaya and apricots.

Vitamin A intake

It is worth noting that individuals may have different daily requirements for vitamin A, depending on your health condition and lifestyle. For example, when women are pregnant, excessive amounts of vitamin A should be avoided.