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The benefits of Vitamin A


While most people understand that they need to eat healthy foods, they often don’t understand why they should have foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals, and just what happens to their bodies when their bodies do not receive these beneficial ingredients.

One such vitamin is vitamin A. This vitamin is vital to the function of the human body. It plays a crucial role in the operation of the immune and reproductive system, vision, and the development of bone and blood structure, as well as aiding in antioxidant activity and skin and cellular health.


What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an organic compound that supplies the human body with nutrients that sustain growth and allow it to function correctly. Vitamin A comes in several forms, retinol, retinal and four carotenoids – alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, crypto-carotene, and gamma-carotene. In fact, if the human body has enough beta-carotene in its system then it can produce its own vitamin A.

Vitamin A can be found in animal and vegetable sources. Retinol typical derives from the animal, and the carotene from the vegetable. Foods that are rich in vitamin A are as follows: butter, cheese, egg-yolks, liver, milk, and dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits such as, apricots, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

People who are deficient in vitamin A often have problems with their eye sight and are prone to skin disorders such as bumps, break-outs, and infections. Other symptoms can include severe weight loss, insomnia, fatigue, and reproductive difficulties, as well as hair loss and an itchy scalp.

A healthy lifestyle means eating a balanced diet, exercising for at least 20 minutes a day, drinking sufficient fluids -- preferably water -- and learning to do anything that is not considered ‘good’ for a healthy body in moderation. This allows the human body to function at its best and it also means that it is getting the right dose of essential vitamins and minerals, so that it operates at an optimum level.

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