The liver is the main storage site for vitamin A
A family of fat-soluble retinoids (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid)
Preformed vitamin A is found primarily in animal foods.
Some plants contain provitamin A compounds, which are converted to retinol in your body.
Carotenoids, including beta-carotene, are pigments that give color to carrots, butternut squash, and cantaloupe.
All forms of vitamin A are absorbed by active transport with bile salts and micelles.
Beta-carotene is absorbed by passive diffusion.
Reduced with high fiber intake
Improved in cooked foods
Most forms of vitamin A are packaged into chylomicrons enter lymph
Retinoic acid is attached to albumin.
Stored in the liver
Participates in
Vision
Protein synthesis and cell differentiation
Reproduction
Bone health
A healthy immune system
May help fight cancer
Carotenoids are antioxidants.
Vitamin A: Adults
Males: 900 micrograms (g) retinol activity equivalents (RAE)
Females: 700 g RAE
Upper limit: 3,000 g
Beta-carotene: 3-6 milligrams daily
Strict vegans need to meet vitamin A intake through carotenoids and beta-carotene-rich foods.
Foods: pumpkin, collards, sweet potato, liver (braised), etc
Too much: Excessive amounts of preformed vitamin A can accumulate to toxic levels.
Toxic levels are generally a result of overconsumption of vitamin A in supplements.
Hypervitaminosis A can lead to liver damage and even death.
Overconsumption
During pregnancy can cause birth defects in the face, skull, and CNS of the child
Can potentially result in osteoporosis and bone fractures in adults. Carotenoids in foods are not toxic.
Do not pose serious health problems
Excess carotenoids can cause carotenodermia (yellowish of the skin)
Overconsuming beta-carotene supplements
May increase lung cancer risk
Too little: Chronic vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness.
Prolonged vitamin A deficiency leads to xerophthalmia.
Leading cause of preventable blindness in children, mostly in developing countries
Deficiency can lead to keratinization of epithelial tissues.
Epithelial cells don't secrete mucus.
Cells are unable to function properly, promoting infection.