Vitamin A
All About Vitamin A & Its Importance
Vitamin A was given the first letter of the alphabet as the
name because it was the first vitamin that was discovered.
The study has found out that vitamin A has a great function
in our body which includes keeping our eyes healthy, improving
cell growth and as well as helping boost the immune system.
However, vitamin A is not only absorbed directly but it is
also created by the body by converting beta carotene into
vitamin A.
Vitamin A itself can be food in several types of food, such
as eggs, milk, liver and meat. As for the beta carotene which
our body converts into vitamin A can be found in many fruits
and vegetables, especially the red, orange and green coloured
ones.
But, beware! Consuming pure vitamin A excessively can be
toxix to our body. We should not exceed the recommended daily
allowance for vitamin A. The actual recommended allowance
of vitamin A is different for each individual, it depends
on a person’s age, sex and other factors.
Although it is said that the actual amount of vitamin A consumed
may be toxic if the recommended daily allowance is exceeded,
but in fact, there is a far higher limit to how much beta
carotene can be consumed. This is why it is advisable to concentrate
on obtaining the large amount of beta carotene which the body
can then convert to vitamin A, rather than consuming vast
quantities of pure vitamin A rich foods.
Some of you might remember being told that eating lots of
carrots helps you to see in the dark, however, that will have
to depend on the vitamin A that is produced from the high
levels of beta carotene found in the vegetables. The tomatoes,
dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach also contain
high levels of beta carotene that can be converted to vitamin
A.
Beta carotene is not only used to form vitamin A, but it
is also a powerful antioxidant in itself. None of the beta
carotene that is absorbed is wasted as any excess after conversion
to vitamin A has been used to fight the harmful free radicals
within the body. Besides, vitamin A also helps fight infections
and illnesses by helping tissues that line along various parts
of the body, such as our eyes, mouth, nose, throat and lungs,
to grow and also to repair them if they are damaged to prevent
infection.
Last but not least, the children also need plenty of vitamin
A to help their bones and teeth to develop properly.
| 
