Higher levels of vitamin A were significantly associated with better lung function in children and adults with asthma.<\/span><\/p>\n
About Vitamin A<\/b><\/h2>\n
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It is a <\/span>fat-soluble <\/b>vitamin <\/span>primarily stored <\/b>in the <\/span>liver<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
Although vitamin A is often considered a single nutrient, it is actually a <\/span>group of fat-soluble compounds<\/b>, including<\/span> retinol, retinal<\/b>, and <\/span>retinyl esters.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
There are <\/span>two types<\/b> of vitamin A that are found in the diet.<\/span>\n
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Preformed vitamin A<\/b> is <\/span>found in animal products<\/b> such as meat, fish, poultry, and dairy foods.<\/span><\/li>\n
Precursors to vitamin A,<\/b> also known as <\/span>provitamin A<\/b>, are found in <\/span>plant-based foods<\/b> such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of provitamin A is beta-carotene.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
In order to use these<\/b> two types of vitamin A, the<\/span> body must convert them into the active forms <\/b>of the vitamin, <\/span>retinal and retinoic acid.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
Foods with the highest levels of vitamin A <\/b>include:<\/span>\n
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Beef liver <\/b>and other <\/span>organ meats<\/b><\/li>\n
Some types of fis<\/b>h such as herring and salmon and cod fish oil<\/span><\/li>\n
Eggs<\/span><\/li>\n
Dairy products <\/b>such as cheese and fortified milk\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
Fortified breakfast cereals<\/span><\/li>\n
Orange and yellow vegetables and fruits<\/b>, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, and cantaloupe<\/span><\/li>\n
Broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Function<\/b>:<\/span>\n
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It supports <\/span>cell growth, immune function, fetal development, <\/b>and <\/span>vision<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
One of the <\/span>best-known functions <\/b>of vitamin A is its<\/span> role in vision and eye health.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
It is also <\/span>known as retinol<\/b> because it <\/span>produces the pigments in the retina<\/b> of the eye.<\/span><\/li>\n
Vitamin A<\/span> promotes good eyesight, especially in low light.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
Vitamin A <\/span>helps protect surface tissues<\/b> such as the skin, intestines, lungs, bladder, and inner ear.<\/span><\/li>\n
It <\/span>supports immune function <\/b>by<\/span> promoting the growth and distribution of T cells<\/b>, a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infection.<\/span><\/li>\n
Vitamin A s<\/span>upports male and female reproductive health <\/b>and <\/span>fetal development.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
If you do not get enough vitamin A, <\/b>you have more risk of eye problems such as:<\/span>\n
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Reversible night blindness<\/b><\/li>\n
Non-reversible corneal damage <\/b>known as <\/span>xerophthalmia<\/b><\/li>\n
It can also lead to<\/span> hyperkeratosis or dry, scaly skin.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Vitamin A deficiency can be <\/span>treated with vitamin A supplements.<\/b><\/li>\n
Just as vitamin A deficiency can negatively affect health, taking too much can also be dangerous.\u00a0<\/span>\n
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Taking too much<\/b> vitamin A can cause s<\/span>erious side effects <\/b>and can even be fatal if consumed in extremely high doses. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n