Vitamin A, or retinol, is important for vision. This vitamin helps the eyes adjust to light and dark and also keeps the eyes moist. Vitamin A is beneficial for preventing Bitot’s spot, an eye disorder, and helping treat xerophthalmia, or dry eye. Derivatives of vitamin are used to eliminate wrinkles and treat acne. Those with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, can benefit from a prescription drug derived from vitamin A.
Vitamins can be divided into two categories, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, are not stored in the body. The body uses what it needs and excretes any excess vitamin out of the body. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A are stored in the body’s fat for a period of time. In vitamin A’s case, vitamin A may use the body a storage space for up to six months.
Because the body stores vitamin A, it is possible to accumulate enough vitamin A in the body to reach toxic levels. Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include headache, nausea, and vomiting. Changes in skin, hair, and nails may be noticeable if the toxicity has built up and maintained over time. In addition, vitamin A toxicity can affect the liver.
Most people in developed nations do not have problems with vitamin A deficiencies. This problem does exist in some underdeveloped countries. Symptoms of vitamin A deficiencies include night blindness, respiratory problems, blindness, and skin disorders.
One of the benefits of vitamin A is that it is usually unnecessary for people to take supplements. People who eat a variety of different foods typically get enough vitamin A in their normal diet. Vitamin A is available in animal foods in the form of preformed retinoids and available in fruits and vegetables in the form of provitamin carotenoids. Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, egg yolks, sweet potato, and carrots. Other vitamin A rich foods are spinach, cheddar cheese, and cantaloupe.
Vitamin A also is an effective treatment for measles, acute promyelocytic leukemia, and vitamin A deficiency. Scientific evidence shows that vitamin A can help treat malaria and retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that impacts night vision. The evidence is unclear whether the benefits of vitamin A can affect breast cancer, skin cancer, cataract prevention, or viral infections. Science indicates that using this vitamin during chemotherapy to help with side effects or when treating lung cancer probably will not have any impact on these medical conditions.
Scientists continue to research the benefits of vitamin A. As this process progresses, scientists will hone in on what vitamin A can and cannot do to benefit mankind. With a better understanding of this vitamin, scientists may find more benefits of vitamin A in the future.
