| How did vitamin A get its name?A Polish biochemist, | | | | getting as much benefit from your vitamin A |
| Casimir Funk, came up with the word "vitamine" in | | | | supplement as you believe! Proper absorption also |
| 1912. "Vita" is Latin for "life" and at the time it was | | | | depends on a sufficient level of protein in the |
| thought that all these substances were amines (later | | | | diet.DOSESThe recommended daily dose of vitamin A |
| proven wrong). Hence the word "vitamin".As far as | | | | is presently 3,000 to 10,000 IU (International Units), |
| vitamin A is concerned, it was just lucky enough to | | | | depending on age and health. Again, beta carotene is |
| be the first one identified and labeled, so it got the | | | | a safer form of vitamin A and can be safely taken in |
| letter "A".SOURCESVitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin | | | | doses of 10,000 to 50,000 IU.DEFICIENCIESVitamin A |
| found naturally in such foods as orange and yellow | | | | deficiencies can result in acne and other skin |
| fruits, vegetables such as spinach, and animal fats. | | | | problems, growth problems in children, increased |
| Fat soluble vitamins can generally be stored in the | | | | infections, and night blindness. In view of its value as |
| body. In vegetables, vitamin A is found in the form | | | | an antioxidant, a vitamin A deficiency may put you at |
| of beta-carotene which is water soluble. Among | | | | greater risk for cancer and you will lose out on any |
| other things, this means that excess of this form of | | | | anti-ageing affects.WARNINGToo much Vitamin A |
| vitamin A can be eliminated from the body through | | | | can result in pain in bones, joints, and the abdomen. It |
| natural processes.When vitamin A is acquired from | | | | may produce severe lethargy, headache, nausea, |
| animal fats or egg yolks, it is taken in as the fat | | | | menstrual difficulties, gastrointestinal problems and |
| soluble form of vitamin A and has the potential to | | | | itching. Very high doses of vitamin A have been |
| build up within the body, possibly to toxic | | | | linked to birth defects.The author is retired from the |
| levels.AFFECTSVitamin A is normally required in | | | | Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an |
| steady doses to help maintain healthy skin and good | | | | accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, |
| eyesight. We have all heard about eating carrots to | | | | and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for |
| get vitamin A which will help prevent night blindness. | | | | several years, and has written and published poetry, |
| In fact, ancient Egyptian physicians commonly | | | | essays, and articles on various subjects for the last |
| prescribed liver, which contains Vitamin A, to help | | | | 40 years. He developed an interest in health and |
| prevent night blindness. Vitamin A is also important | | | | fitness in the '70s after reading numerous books, |
| for proper growth in childhood. It is also recognized | | | | including Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Aerobics". This has led |
| as an antioxidant, making it valuable for cancer | | | | him to continue his personal research into health and |
| prevention and anti-ageing. It also enhances the | | | | fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course |
| performance of the immune | | | | work on the subjects of health and fitness, including |
| system.ABSORPTIONProper absorption of vitamin A | | | | yoga, which he practices regularly. Learn more about |
| requires some fat. Therefore, if you are on a | | | | vitamins and mineral supplements. |
| restricted diet or low fat diet, you might not be | | | | |