VITAMIN A - ( RETINOL )

Improves Vision

Vitamin A is a “miracle” vitamin owing to its significant effect on the immune system and its important role in growth. It is necessary for healthy eyes and skin and improves night vision. It is a very good antioxidant and also has anticarcinogenic properties.

Role in the Body

It improves vision by providing the required stimulation for vision in the retina and prevents night blindness. It is required for growth, reproduction and maintenance of life. It builds up resistance to respiratory and other infections and keeps the mucous linings and membranes of the body, especially those of the eyes, lungs, stomach and intestines, in a healthy condition. It also prevents aging of skin and promotes growth of strong bones, hair, teeth, skin and gums. 

Sources:

Vitamin A as Retinol is available from animal products like liver, eggs, whole milk, butter, cod liver oil, ghee and as carotene from vegetables such as carrots, colocasia, drumsticks, beet, turnip greens, and spinach and fruits like mangoes, apricots, goosberries, raspberries and oranges.

Deficiency Symptoms:

Prolonged deficiency of Vitamin A may result in inflammation of the eyes, poor vision and night blindness. There is reduced resistance to infections (particularly respiratory) tract, in the form of frequent and prolonged common colds. It lead to lack of appetite and vigour, defective teeth and gums, skin disorders such as pimples, acne, boils and premature wrinkles. It may also lead to persistent headaches, dry and dull hair, excessive hair loss. 

Healing and Therapeutic Properties:

Vitamin A is valuable in curing eye problems like night blindness, xeropthalmia, mild conjuctival changes. It also helps in treating asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure and kidney disorders.

Toxicity:

Doses exceeding 30,000 mcg of Vitamin A per day can produce toxic effects in adults if continued for many months. In infants, toxic effects can be produced by the intake of more than 5,550 mcg per day.