Vitamin A for a Good Vision and to Fight Infections

Vitamin A can be basically found as retinol and beta carotene. Vitamin A works on many fronts, fighting infection, helping bone remodeling and a good vision. So, a sufficient intake of vitamin A is compulsory. You can do this by eating foods that are rich in beta carotene or retinol.

Generally speaking, the main vitamin A foods are listed in the followings: carrots, turkey, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, chicken, melons, cantaloupe, tomato, lettuce, papaya, peppers and fish. More specifically, if you are looking for foods that are rich in retinol, you will be able to find these in liver, fish, and animal oils and fats. Milk and cereals are also among the foods that contain retinol. Beta carotene on the other hand, can be found in vitamin A foods such as carrots, green leaf vegetables, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, papaya or tomatoes and other orange or yellow fruits and vegetables.

For more info, you should check out the labels of the foods you are purchasing and see if these are vitamin A foods or not. Retinol may also be listed as vitamin A palmitate or vitamin A acetate, so you should be aware of these facts to be able to recognize the retinol in foods.

You can also get a hold of retinol and vitamin A from supplements. The vitamin A and D supplements are also highly recommended in cases of vitamin A deficiency. However, the best way to procure your vitamin A is still the natural source, so try the vitamin A foods first.

The only concern about vitamin A is the fact that vitamin A supplements taken in high amounts and in combination with oral synthetic retinoid medications for skin may be dangerous for bone health, especially for kids and teens in growth. Consult your physician before taking any vitamin supplements to ensure that you take the right amounts and that they do not interact with other medications you might be taking.

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