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Assignment
Unit 4
Bernardine Baxter
HW499
Health and Wellness
Vitamins
The benefits of Vitamin A
What are the health benefits of vitamins

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin needed for growth and development, cell recognition, vision,
immune function and reproduction.

Also benefits of

Lowering cancer risk

Treating type 2 diabetes
What are the health benefits of vitamin A
Vitamin A is also a
powerful antioxidant
and acts as a hormone
in the body, affecting
the expression of
genes and thereby
influencing phenotype
The recommended intake of vitamin A
varies according to age and sex.
Because vitamin A is available in
several forms, the vitamin A content in
foods is often measured as retinol
activity equivalents (RAEs).
Recommended intake

0-6 months*: 400 mcg/day

7-12 months*: 500 mcg/day

1-3 years: 300 mcg/day

4-8 years: 400 mcg/day

9-13 years: 600 mcg/day

14+ years (male): 900 mcg/day

14+ years (female): 700 mcg/day

14-18 years (pregnancy): 750 mcg/day

14-18 years (lactation): 1,200 mcg/day

19-50 years (pregnancy): 770 mcg/day

19-50 years (lactation): 1,300 mcg/day.

One RAE is equal to 1 microgram of retinol, 12 micrograms of beta-carotene or 3.33 IU of vitamin A.

The recommended intake of RAEs for people of different ages according to the National Institutes for
Health (NIH) are as follows
Deficiency in vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night
blindness, higher susceptibility to
infections, and follicular
hyperkeratosis (dry, bumpy skin).

People taking the weight loss drug
Orlistat (brand names Allis and
Xenical) have lowered absorption
ability for fat-soluble vitamins such as
vitamin A, putting them at risk of
deficiency.

Taking individual nutrient
supplements can mask deficiencies of
other nutrients, with the potential to
cause both acute and serious, longterm health issues.

Supplements can be helpful where
people have difficulty meeting
nutrition needs through diet alone
sources of vitamin A
Liver
Fatty fish (like
herring and salmon)
Fish oils
Butter
Milk
Cheese
Eggs.
.Plant-based
foods contain the
precursor antioxidant form of
vitamin A, carotenoids (like
beta-carotene), which are
then converted to retinol in
the body.

This antioxidant is also an orange pigment and
contributes to the color of certain fruits and
vegetables. Rich sources of beta-carotene include
orange plant foods such as butternut squash, papaya,
apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots.

Other plant foods, such as broccoli, dark leafy green
vegetables, zucchini and peppers are also a rich
source of beta-carotene, with an array of pigments
combining to create the bright colors seen in
vegetables and fruits.

Overconsumption of vitamin A
Overconsumption of vitamin A can
lead to dry skin, brittle nails, hair
loss, weak bones, gum disease,
irritability and fatigue. Extremely
excessive and persistent doses of
vitamin A (greater than 100%
recommended levels) can cause liver
disease.
Reference:

Ware, M. R. ( 2015, August 5). What are the health benefits of vitamin A?
Retrieved from What are the health benefits of vitamin A?:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219486.php#recommended_inta
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