The Liquid Vitamin A Supplements Store

Vitamin A (Beta Carotene)

The Glow-in-the-dark Vitamin

Call it the glow-in-the-dark vitamin. Vitamin A is bright orange, or at least that is how we most often see it. Just check out some of the sources of vitamin A below. But it can also be called the glow-in-the-dark vitamin because it helps us see better in the dark.

Vitamin A is actually a family of vitamins. It comes in several forms, the most active of which is retinol. Most of what you would have read about vitamin A in food are in the form of retinol or provitamin A carotenoids that can be converted to retinol vitamin A. The best-known carotenoids is beta carotene.

We also share with you below some vitamin A benefits, how vitamin A works, and a few more vitamin A facts.

Vitamin A Benefits

The most famous benefit of vitamin A is that it helps us see better, keeping the cornea moist and protecting it from damage. It is common to relate vitamin A to good night vision, which is perhaps where the value is most noticeable.

For instance, vitamin A promotes bone growth, tooth development and helps with the reproductive process. It is also helpful in maintaining healthy hair, skin, mucous membranes and other surface linings.

It is also instrumental in the process of cell division and cell differentiation, whereby a cell is given properties of what it will become.

Vitamin A also helps protect against disease, helping the cells lining the lung to remove dangerous organisms. It also has been linked to decreased risk of breast, lung and skin cancer.

Good sources of Vitamin A

We said above that we most often see vitamin A as bright orange. This is true to a large extent in plant sources, which are in the form of beta carotene. For instance, some of the very best sources of beta carotene are carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, mangoes, papayas, peaches and cantaloupe. But there are other sources, some of which are dark green like beet greens, broccoli, Swiss chard and spinach.

Most milk products and egg yolks also have significant quantities of "preformed" vitamin A (retinol), as do some fish. Perhaps the most concentrated source of retinol vitamin A is liver – calves live, chicken liver, pork liver, any liver.

Get the Most From Your Vitamin A

The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 700-900 micrograms of retinol or equivalent beta carotene intake.

A vitamin A deficiency usually occurs along with an extremely low-calorie diet, or when a vegetarian diet low in beta carotene is followed. Vegetarians who do not consume eggs and milk should particularly ensure their diet is rich in orange and dark green vegetables.

Chronic diarrhea or excess alcohol consumption can also deplete vitamin A.

Vitamin A deficiencies are often found in conjunction with iron deficiencies zinc deficiencies or protein deficiencies.

Be careful not to overdose on vitamin A. There is research suggesting that an excess of vitamin A can lead to osteoperosis, and it has been linked to birth defects.

You cannot overdose on beta carotene, because your body will take only what it needs. But excess retinol can lead to brittle skin, hair loss, nausea, fatigue and even vomit. Be very careful about vitamin A supplements. Multi-vitamin supplements, such as Essential Nectar Liquid Vitamin Supplement are well-balanced. They provide a measured supplement of all vitamins, without placing you at risk for any one. Click here to get your Essential Nectar now.

FACT: Water soluble vitamins are best absorbed in liquid form, such as in their natural juices or in a liquid vitamin supplement.

A Few More Facts About Vitamin A

The most obvious sign of a vitamin A deficiency is poor vision, especially at night. In ancient Egypt "night blindness" was cured by feeding liver to the victim. Liver is now known to be rich in retinol vitamin A.'

It was not until 1930, however, that vitamin A became the first fat-soluble vitamin to be discovered.