Vitamin A is a term used to refer to a large number of similar compounds, known as retinoids.Vitamin A found in food from animal is usually referred to as preformed Vitamin, Retinol and retinal is a good example. Vitamin A found in fruits and vegetable is referred to as Provitamin A carotenoids, these vitamins A are converted into retinol in the body where one molecule of beta carotene produces two molecule of Vitamin A. The body usually obtain vitamin by manufacturing it from carotene found in vegetable such carrots or by absorbing it from animal products of organism that eat plants. Vitamin A is stored in the fat tissue and carried through out the body by fat.
Vitamin A has a wide variety of use to the human body. This includes Vision, healthy skin, immune defenses, bone and body growth, reproduction and cell development. Vitamin A compound is used in the conversion of light’s reception in the eye retina for brain assimilation to convey a picture. When a light strike the eye, one form of vitamin A send a signal to the brain indicating that light is striking the eye, which leads to eye adjustment depending on the nature of light. Vitamin A also helps in boosting the immune system, protecting us from infections. White blood cells are stimulated by vitamin A increasing the antibodies alertness. In pregnant women, Vitamin A helps in embryonic development, fast tissues repair and maintenance of normal vision, lack of which can lead to night blindness. Vitamin A has also been proven to reduce cervical, breast and colon cancer as it inhibit tumor development.
There are two main sources of Vitamin A, animal source and vegetable source. Eggs, beef, chicken liver, fish liver oils, whole milk, cheese and butter are some of the main source of Vitamin A derived from animal products. Carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, spinach, pumpkins, leafy vegetables, grapefruits and broccoli are some of the major source of beta carotene that is converted to vitamin in the liver. Vitamin A supplements are available in the United Kingdom market and act as another source for vitamin A.
In the United Kingdom, vitamin A supplements are given to children diagnosed with measles and any other child over the age of 5 months who has been hospitalized with any other medical conditions. Patients suffering from Celiac and Crohn’s diseases have limited vitamin A absorption ability in their body. As such they require vitamin A supplements to cater for their body needs. Vegetarians need provitamin A cateroids and as such, vitamin supplements are a good source for vitamins A.
Vitamin A is very essential in human body, it contribute greatly to the Vision, healthy skin, and immune system as it stimulates the activities of white blood cells in the body. In pregnant women, it helps in faster tissue repairs and prevents night blindness. Carotene found in Vegetables such as carrots and spinach is the main source of Provitamin A and animal products such as chicken liver and milk are a good source of preformed vitamin A.