Assignment Unit 4 Bernardine Baxter HW499

Vitamins The benefits of Vitamin A Health and Wellness Vitamins The benefits of Vitamin A

What are the health benefits of vitamins Vitamin A is an essential vitamin needed for growth and development, cell recognition, vision, immune function and reproduction. Also benefits of Lowering cancer risk Treating type 2 diabetes What are the health benefits of vitamin A? Vitamin A is an essential vitamin needed for growth and development, cell recognition, vision, immune function and reproduction. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant and acts as a hormone in the body, affecting the expression of genes and thereby influencing phenotype. Retinol is the predominant, active form of vitamin A found in the blood, while retinal palmitate is the storage form of the vitamin. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and is found in plants. This "pro-vitamin," in itself an antioxidant, is converted into vitamin A as needed by the body, thereby posing no risk of toxicity.

What are the health benefits of vitamin A Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant and acts as a hormone in the body, affecting the expression of genes and thereby influencing phenotype

The recommended intake of vitamin A varies according to age and sex The recommended intake of vitamin A varies according to age and sex. Because vitamin A is available in several forms, the vitamin A content in foods is often measured as retinol activity equivalents (RAEs).

Recommended intake 0-6 months*: 400 mcg/day 7-12 months*: 500 mcg/day 1-3 years: 300 mcg/day 4-8 years: 400 mcg/day 9-13 years: 600 mcg/day 14+ years (male): 900 mcg/day 14+ years (female): 700 mcg/day 14-18 years (pregnancy): 750 mcg/day 14-18 years (lactation): 1,200 mcg/day 19-50 years (pregnancy): 770 mcg/day 19-50 years (lactation): 1,300 mcg/day. One RAE is equal to 1 microgram of retinol, 12 micrograms of beta-carotene or 3.33 IU of vitamin A. The recommended intake of RAEs for people of different ages according to the National Institutes for Health (NIH) are as follows One RAE is equal to 1 microgram of retinol, 12 micrograms of beta-carotene or 3.33 IU of vitamin A. The recommended intake of RAEs for people of different ages according to the National Institutes for Health (NIH) are as follows

Deficiency in vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, higher susceptibility to infections, and follicular hyperkeratosis (dry, bumpy skin). People taking the weight loss drug Orlistat (brand names Allis and Xenical) have lowered absorption ability for fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, putting them at risk of deficiency. Taking individual nutrient supplements can mask deficiencies of other nutrients, with the potential to cause both acute and serious, long- term health issues. Supplements can be helpful where people have difficulty meeting nutrition needs through diet alone and where malabsorption is an issue. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, higher susceptibility to infections, and follicular hyperkeratosis (dry, bumpy skin). People taking the weight loss drug Orlistat (brand names Allis and Xenical) have lowered absorption ability for fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, putting them at risk of deficiency. Taking individual nutrient supplements can mask deficiencies of other nutrients, with the potential to cause both acute and serious, long-term health issues. Supplements can be helpful where people have difficulty meeting nutrition needs through diet alone and where malabsorption is an issue.

Fatty fish (like herring and salmon) Fish oils Butter Milk Cheese sources of vitamin A Liver Fatty fish (like herring and salmon) Fish oils Butter Milk Cheese Eggs. Plant-based foods contain the precursor antioxidant form of vitamin A, carotenoids (like beta-carotene), which are then converted to retinol in the body.

Plant-based foods contain the precursor antioxidant form of vitamin A, carotenoids (like beta-carotene), which are then converted to retinol in the body. This antioxidant is also an orange pigment and contributes to the color of certain fruits and vegetables. Rich sources of beta-carotene include orange plant foods such as butternut squash, papaya, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots. Other plant foods, such as broccoli, dark leafy green vegetables, zucchini and peppers are also a rich source of beta-carotene, with an array of pigments combining to create the bright colors seen in vegetables and fruits. . This antioxidant is also an orange pigment and contributes to the color of certain fruits and vegetables. Rich sources of beta-carotene include orange plant foods such as butternut squash, papaya, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots. Other plant foods, such as broccoli, dark leafy green vegetables, zucchini and peppers are also a rich source of beta-carotene, with an array of pigments combining to create the bright colors seen in vegetables and fruits.

Overconsumption of vitamin A Overconsumption of vitamin A can lead to dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, weak bones, gum disease, irritability and fatigue. Extremely excessive and persistent doses of vitamin A (greater than 100% recommended levels) can cause liver disease.

Reference: Ware, M. R. ( 2015, August 5). What are the health benefits of vitamin A? Retrieved from What are the health benefits of vitamin A?: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219486.php#recommended_inta ke