Vitamin A

What Is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is fat-soluble, antioxidant-rich vitamin that is essential for total body health. Although most people associate vitamin A with vision health, its benefits for the immune system, skin and bone health are no less impressive. Vitamin A’s two most common forms are retinol and beta-carotene. Retinol (vitamin A1) is often delivered to the body via its precursor, retinyl palmitate, which is abundant in foods such as liver, milk and milk products, cheese, fish and eggs. Beta-carotene (provitamin A) is found in yellow, red and green vegetables and fruits like carrots, grapefruit, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, apricots and more.

7 Benefits of Vitamin A

Vision health support

When people say that carrots are good for eye health, they’re referring to the high amount of vitamin A (beta-carotene). Vitamin A, as it turns out, is excellent for promoting macular health. Vitamin A is also a component in the rhodopsin molecule, which is a light-sensitive receptor protein that aids vision in low light conditions.

Promotes healthy skin

How does vitamin A aid in skin health? Once again, it’s the high beta-carotene content along with the antioxidant power of provitamin A carotenoids. These antioxidants stay busy by neutralizing collagen-unfriendly free radicals. Vitamin A is also instrumental in boosting skin cell production, which aids in keeping skin firm and hydrated.

Strengthens bones

When thinking about bone health supplements, vitamin A isn’t the first one that comes to mind, but it should be part of the conversation. That’s because as we age our plasma retinol levels decrease, which can lead to reduced bone mineral density. That being the case, taking a vitamin A supplement is a sensible way to support bone health today and into our later years.

Helps rejuvenate body tissues

Vitamin A plays a crucial role in allowing your body’s soft tissues to repair themselves. This is in part due to the high antioxidant content therein, which neutralizes free radicals and helps minimize oxidative damage. But aside from its ability to protect already existing tissue, vitamin A helps the body produce new tissues by delivering nutrients.