Importance of Vitamin A For Your Health!

Vitamin a, a fat-soluble vitamin, is a potent antioxidant that performs a wide host of functions that are critical for the functioning of the body. In humans, most commonly, it is consumed in two forms:
Animal-based foods rich in active vitamin a or retinol
Plant-based foods rich in pro-vitamin a or carotenoids.
Of the two, animal-based foods (retinol) can be directly assimilated by the body whereas plant based foods (carotenoids) have to be converted to retinol and then taken.
Let us give a quick glance at the critical roles played by vitamin a in the human body, thereby making it an indispensable vitamin in the human body.

1. Promotes eye health
Vitamin a, the key component of rhodopsin, an eye-compound that ensures clear vision prevents night as well as color blindness in humans. Vitamin a also checks macular degeneration which is the common cause of blindness in the elderly.

2. Ensures healthy skin
Retinol deficiency causes the skin cells to dry out prematurely and therefore could be a reason for dry, scaly and flaky skin. Vitamin a nourishes the skin cells and promotes a healthy and glowing skin. Recent studies showcase that a healthy dose of vitamin a also prevents skin cancer by maintaining the production of new skin cells.

3. Boosts immunity
Being a potent anti-oxidant, vitamin a reverses cell damage caused by free radicals and strengthens the immune system. It helps to prevent diseases such as cancer, flu and the common cold. Deficiency of the nutrient may render you susceptible to infections as well.

4. Strengthens bones
Vitamin a helps to strengthen the bones and teeth. A majority of age-related skeletal issues can be prevented if the body has vitamin a in the adequate quantities. It also plays an important role in the healthy growth of the muscular system as well.

How much vitamin a do you actually need?

As per the recommended dietary allowance, an adult (man) must have at least 900 micrograms and an adult (woman) must have 700 micrograms of vitamin a in a day. Pregnant women must consume at least 770 micrograms of vitamin a on a daily basis.

Where do you get vitamin a naturally from?
1. Carrots, a single carrot has over 200% of the daily need of vitamin a.
2. Sweet potatoes are nutrient dense roots and contain double the amount of vitamin a compared to a carrot.
3. Mangoes, the king of fruits is not to be left behind when discussing vitamin a. One whole mango has enough to satiate your need for a day.