Vitamin A
Alternate Names : Deficiency - Vitamin A, Vitamin A Deficiency
Definition
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Overview & Functions
Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it generates the pigments in the retina.
Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in dim light. It may also be required for reproduction and breast-feeding.
Beta-carotene, which has antioxidant properties, is a precursor to Vitamin A. Antioxidants quench free radicals, which are unstable substances that can react with and damage cells, tissues and organs. Free radicals are believed to be associated with many of the degenerative changes seen with aging. However, it is not yet known whether antioxidants can prevent these changes and studies have been conflicting. For example, one study found increased cancer risk in smokers who took high doses of beta carotene.
With Vitamin A, as with many other vitamins, a certain amount is necessary, but too much is toxic.
|
