Benefits of Vitamin A
By David Leonhardt
The ancient Egyptians had a cure
for "night blindness": they fed the patient lots and
lots of liver. Perhaps they thought they were appeasing the gods
of sight. In 1930, the first fat-soluble vitamin was discovered,
vitamin A, which it turns out does indeed appease the gods of
sight.
Vitamin A is best known for improving
eyesight, particularly at night, which is one of two reasons we
call it the “glow-in-the-dark vitamin.” But the eyes
are not the only part of your body grateful for your generous
consumption of vitamin A.
Your skin also benefits. And your
hair. And mucous membranes. And nails. In fact, almost any surface
lining your body can find.
Your immune system benefits, too,
giving you added resources to ward off infections. Bones and teeth
are strengthened with proper amounts of vitamin A, and even the
risk of some cancers can be reduced with vitamin A. And there
are more confirmed and suspected benefits.
The other reason we call Vitamin
A the “glow-in-the-dark vitamin” is because it is
best known as the bright orange color in so many foods we enjoy.
Try pumpkins, pumpkin pie and my favorite, pumpkin cheesecake
(see my recipe at www.thehappyguy.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe.html).
And of course, don’t forget carrots, squash, peaches, apricots,
cantaloupe, mangoes, sweet potatoes and the rest of the orange-spangled
veggie gang.
Sources of Vitamin A -
Foods High in Vitamin A
But again, vitamin A is much more than meets the eye. It is not
actually vitamin A that turns the fruit and vegetables orange,
but a precursor to vitamin A called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene
does not become vitamin A until your body processes it.
And it is just as likely (if not
more so) to come from vitamin A food protein sources such as most
dairy products, egg yolks and some fish. And the queen of all
vitamin A sources is liver, that ancient Egyptian god of sight.
Calves liver, chicken liver, pork liver — any liver you
can sink your teeth into. The vitamin A in protein sources is
real vitamin A, no processing required.
Other great sources of vitamin
A are dark green vegetables, such as Swiss chard, broccoli, spinach
and beet greens.
Vitamin A Overdose - Vitamin
A Toxicity
As important as it is to glow with vitamin A, don't glow too brightly.
An overdose can be harmful to bones and skin, causing weakness
and brittleness and even leading to fatigue and vomiting.
It is
advisable not to take a vitamin A supplement except under the
supervision of a physician. In most cases, it is much
better to take a liquid multivitamin such as Essential Nectar
in recommended daily doses. There is very little chance of getting
an overdose that way.
Also, increase your intake of beta-carotene
sources to avoid an overdose. Whereas your body absorbs all the
vitamin A it takes in directly, it converts only the beta-carotene
it needs (talk about customization!).
So get glowing and get the vitamin
A you need.
Learn more
Learn more about vitamin A:
www.vitamin-supplements-store.net/vitamins/vitamin-a.html
Read up on other nutrition information:
www.vitamin-supplements-store.net/nutrition-information.html
Read up on other nutrients:
www.vitamin-supplements-store.net/nutritional-supplements.html
© David Leonhardt
David Leonhardt runs The
Liquid Vitamin Supplements Store.
