| Functions |
- Vision and immune function
- Bone development; growth; reproduction; detoxification
- Health and structure of skin and mucuous membranes / epithelial tissue
- Adrenal and thyroid hormone manufacture and activity;
- Structure and function of nerve cells
|
| Sources notes |
Best source: green leafy and yellow-orange vegetables
There are 2 types of Vitamin A
- Beta-carotenes and other carotenes from fruit and vegetables are the source of provitamin A which is converted in the body to vitamin A
- Aldehydes, preformed vitamin A in retinal form primarily found in animal tissue
|
| Vegetable Sources |
Red chilli; Dandelion greens; Carrots; Collard greens; Kale; Sweet potato; Parsley; Spinach; Turnip greens; Swiss chard; Beet greens; Chives; Watercress; Red Bell Peppers; Squashes (Hubbard, Butternut, Pumpkin, Acorn) |
| Fruit Sources |
Dried Apricots, Mango, Cantaloupe melon, Papaya, Nectarines, Prunes, Peaches, Sour cherries |
| Nut and seed sources |
|
| Absorption and function notes |
- Fat soluble
- Combine with fat (highly dependent on fat for absorption)
|
| Deficiency factors |
- Poor night vision and dry eyes; poor wound healing; hard, dry, dysfunctional tissue where cellular turnover is great – eye, skin, organs (e.g. lungs)
- Recurrent infections / infection susceptibility: used up more during infections and detoxification
- Fatigue; poor fat absorption and metabolism; weight loss
- Steroid hormone dysfunctions; poor smooth and bone function
|
| Toxicity |
- Toxic in large sustained doses over time, but no toxicity with beta-carotene; liver disease patients susceptible to toxicity
- Oral contraceptives and Lipitor raise vitamin A blood levels
- Symptoms of toxicity – weight loss, appetite loss, dry shedding skin, hair loss, fatigue and irritability, bone and joint pain, headache and intracranial pressure
|
Adapted from:
Murray, M. (2005). Encyclopedia of Healing Food. New York, N.Y.: Atria Books
Bland, J., Costarella, L., Levin, B., Liska, D., Lukaczer, D., Schlitz, B., Schmidt, M., Lerman, R., Quinn, S., Jones, D. (2004). Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach, Second Edition. Gig Harbor, WA: The Institute for Functional Medicine
Resources
National Institute of Health fact sheet on Vitamin A including details on the RDA from various sources
Linus Pauling Institute in depth scientific information about Vitamin A
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