Vitamin A<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\nVitamin A (a fat-soluble vitamin) is also known as retinol, retinal or retinoic acid \u2013 these are the active forms ready to be utilised by the body.<\/p>\n
You may see the terms \u201cpreformed vitamin A\u201d and \u201cproformed vitamin A\u201d.\u00a0 Preformed vitamin A is referring to vitamin A and Proformed Vitamin A is referring to beta-carotene.<\/p>\n
The active preformed Vitamin A is only obtained from animal sources:<\/strong><\/span>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.vivehealth.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/eggs-.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n- Meat \u2013 especially liver<\/li>\n
- Fish \u2013 especially liver (cod, salmon and halibut)<\/li>\n
- Dairy products \u2013 especially butter, hard and cream cheeses<\/li>\n
- Egg yolks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cooking can destroy up to 40% of the vitamin A content of food.<\/p>\n
Vitamin A and beta-carotene have some alike actions in the body, but they also work in different ways.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Vitamin A Main Actions of Benefit:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Antioxidant<\/li>\n
- Immune function \u2013 viral infections including colds, measles and cystitis<\/li>\n
- Maintains the health of epithelial cells (skin cells) \u2013 Good for acne, dry skin, eczema<\/li>\n
- Vision \u2013 it\u2019s necessary for maintaining vision and keeping our whole eye healthy \u2013 can prevent cataracts, useful for conjunctivitis, dry eye, night blindness, optic neuritis<\/li>\n
- Asthma, bronchitis and lung function in Cystic Fibrosis<\/li>\n
- Chemoprotective<\/li>\n
- Gut health \u2013 diarrhoea, coeliac disease, Crohn\u2019s disease, pancreatic and gallbladder disease, liver detox, ulcerative colitis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beta-Carotene <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\nThis is a precursor compound that the body will convert into Vitamin A.\u00a0 Although less than 50% of beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A.\u00a0 It requires the nutrients Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and selenium to help in the conversion to vitamin A.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.vivehealth.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/carrots.jpg\")
<\/a>Beta-carotene only comes from plant foods<\/strong><\/span> including:<\/p>\n\n- Broccoli<\/li>\n
- Carrots \u2013 most well-known one<\/li>\n
- Yellow and greenish yellow vegetables<\/li>\n
- Papaya<\/li>\n
- Rockmelon<\/li>\n
- Apricots<\/li>\n
- Red capsicum<\/li>\n
- Spinach<\/li>\n
- Sweet potato<\/li>\n
- Tomatoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beta-carotene is better absorbed with fatty meals and from foods that are cooked or steamed.<\/p>\n
Beta-Carotene Main Actions of Benefit:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Converts to vitamin A<\/li>\n
- Antioxidant<\/li>\n
- Immune function<\/li>\n
- Chemoprotective<\/li>\n
- Vision \u2013 night blindness, macular degeneration<\/li>\n
- Cardiovascular protection \u2013 reduces \u201cbad\u201d LDL cholesterol and increases \u201cgood\u201d HDL cholesterol, atherosclerosis<\/li>\n
- Decreases photosensitivity to the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Vitamin A Toxicity<\/strong><\/h2>\nMany people are weary of vitamin A (especially during pregnancy) as there are warnings on any Australian label that contains vitamin A.\u00a0 In excess, vitamin A is not beneficial. There is the concern that because it is a fat-soluble vitamin it gets retained in our cells.\u00a0 Our body does find it hard to clear vitamin A, so it can store easily.\u00a0 High doses should NOT be taken for prolonged periods of time.\u00a0 In pregnancy, this vitamin can ring alarm bells as high doses has been associated with birth defects.<\/p>\n
Dosage requirements that produce toxicity are highly inconsistent.\u00a0 Chronic toxicity can occur from dosages 26,000IU to 1,000,000 IU\/day taken for 2 years.\u00a0 Generally greater than 75,000IU can start to produce signs of overdose and toxicity.<\/p>\n
The adult recommended daily allowance is 5,000-9,000IU.\u00a0 Pregnancy is up to 5,000IU.<\/p>\n
There is little reason to be alarmed as there is more chance of vitamin A deficiency than toxicity especially if you are taking certain pharmaceutical drugs which can decrease absorption and body tissue levels.<\/p>\n
There are so many more things that both Vitamin A and beta-carotene can be beneficial for.\u00a0 They are both crucial for our health in general.\u00a0 If you are thinking of taking a supplement, then ensuring the right dosage for you is important and might be worth chatting to a naturopath or nutritionist – contact Megan to book in a supplement check consult or book in a full consult to assist with any health issues – megan@balancingnutrition.com.au<\/a> or 0417 679 287.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.vivehealth.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Megan-Crockart-Vive-Blog-Mini.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Megan<\/strong> Crockart<\/strong>\u00a0is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist & a self-confessed foodie! Megan has a special interest in working with individuals with allergies, food intolerances, SIBO, eczema, pre- & post-natal health & children\u2019s health.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nBalancing Nutrition.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nTo book a consultation with Megan please click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
References available upon request<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Vitamin A appears to be one of the least known vitamins.\u00a0 Everyone knows of it, but not what it does and how important it is.\u00a0 Many people think that beta-carotene is \u201cvitamin A\u201d.\u00a0 It\u2019s not technically vitamin A but is … Continue reading
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Meat \u2013 especially liver<\/li>\n
- Fish \u2013 especially liver (cod, salmon and halibut)<\/li>\n
- Dairy products \u2013 especially butter, hard and cream cheeses<\/li>\n
- Egg yolks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cooking can destroy up to 40% of the vitamin A content of food.<\/p>\n
Vitamin A and beta-carotene have some alike actions in the body, but they also work in different ways.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Vitamin A Main Actions of Benefit:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Antioxidant<\/li>\n
- Immune function \u2013 viral infections including colds, measles and cystitis<\/li>\n
- Maintains the health of epithelial cells (skin cells) \u2013 Good for acne, dry skin, eczema<\/li>\n
- Vision \u2013 it\u2019s necessary for maintaining vision and keeping our whole eye healthy \u2013 can prevent cataracts, useful for conjunctivitis, dry eye, night blindness, optic neuritis<\/li>\n
- Asthma, bronchitis and lung function in Cystic Fibrosis<\/li>\n
- Chemoprotective<\/li>\n
- Gut health \u2013 diarrhoea, coeliac disease, Crohn\u2019s disease, pancreatic and gallbladder disease, liver detox, ulcerative colitis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beta-Carotene <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
This is a precursor compound that the body will convert into Vitamin A.\u00a0 Although less than 50% of beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A.\u00a0 It requires the nutrients Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and selenium to help in the conversion to vitamin A.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Beta-carotene only comes from plant foods<\/strong><\/span> including:<\/p>\n- \n
- Broccoli<\/li>\n
- Carrots \u2013 most well-known one<\/li>\n
- Yellow and greenish yellow vegetables<\/li>\n
- Papaya<\/li>\n
- Rockmelon<\/li>\n
- Apricots<\/li>\n
- Red capsicum<\/li>\n
- Spinach<\/li>\n
- Sweet potato<\/li>\n
- Tomatoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beta-carotene is better absorbed with fatty meals and from foods that are cooked or steamed.<\/p>\n
Beta-Carotene Main Actions of Benefit:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Converts to vitamin A<\/li>\n
- Antioxidant<\/li>\n
- Immune function<\/li>\n
- Chemoprotective<\/li>\n
- Vision \u2013 night blindness, macular degeneration<\/li>\n
- Cardiovascular protection \u2013 reduces \u201cbad\u201d LDL cholesterol and increases \u201cgood\u201d HDL cholesterol, atherosclerosis<\/li>\n
- Decreases photosensitivity to the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Vitamin A Toxicity<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Many people are weary of vitamin A (especially during pregnancy) as there are warnings on any Australian label that contains vitamin A.\u00a0 In excess, vitamin A is not beneficial. There is the concern that because it is a fat-soluble vitamin it gets retained in our cells.\u00a0 Our body does find it hard to clear vitamin A, so it can store easily.\u00a0 High doses should NOT be taken for prolonged periods of time.\u00a0 In pregnancy, this vitamin can ring alarm bells as high doses has been associated with birth defects.<\/p>\n
Dosage requirements that produce toxicity are highly inconsistent.\u00a0 Chronic toxicity can occur from dosages 26,000IU to 1,000,000 IU\/day taken for 2 years.\u00a0 Generally greater than 75,000IU can start to produce signs of overdose and toxicity.<\/p>\n
The adult recommended daily allowance is 5,000-9,000IU.\u00a0 Pregnancy is up to 5,000IU.<\/p>\n
There is little reason to be alarmed as there is more chance of vitamin A deficiency than toxicity especially if you are taking certain pharmaceutical drugs which can decrease absorption and body tissue levels.<\/p>\n
There are so many more things that both Vitamin A and beta-carotene can be beneficial for.\u00a0 They are both crucial for our health in general.\u00a0 If you are thinking of taking a supplement, then ensuring the right dosage for you is important and might be worth chatting to a naturopath or nutritionist – contact Megan to book in a supplement check consult or book in a full consult to assist with any health issues – megan@balancingnutrition.com.au<\/a> or 0417 679 287.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Megan<\/strong> Crockart<\/strong>\u00a0is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist & a self-confessed foodie! Megan has a special interest in working with individuals with allergies, food intolerances, SIBO, eczema, pre- & post-natal health & children\u2019s health.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Balancing Nutrition.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
To book a consultation with Megan please click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
References available upon request<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vitamin A appears to be one of the least known vitamins.\u00a0 Everyone knows of it, but not what it does and how important it is.\u00a0 Many people think that beta-carotene is \u201cvitamin A\u201d.\u00a0 It\u2019s not technically vitamin A but is … Continue reading