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Nutrition: | Vitamins |
| Vitamin A Also: Retinol and Beta Carotene* {*see Beta Carotene} Soluble: Fat (except for polyunsaturated fats, which negate Vitamin A) | |
| Functions: | required for eye health and vision and for red blood cell production; needed for body's chemical functions and for healthy bones, teeth, and gums; necessary to maintain health of tissues, mucous membranes, nerve cell walls, organs, thymus gland and inner linings of body; increases T-cell activity; fights viruses, infections, bacteria and fungi; treats tiredness and anemia; |
| Found In: | carrots (1/2 cup=7900 IU), sweet potatoe (1/2 cup=7850 IU), pumpkin (1/2 cup=7840 IU), spinach (cooked 1/2 c=7300 IU), collard green (1/2 cup=6030 IU), cantaloupe (1/4=5400 IU), cheese (American 1 oz=330IU), red pepper (1/2 cup=2225 IU),
broccoli (1/2 cup=1900 IU), crab (3 oz=1680 IU), peach (1=990 IU), watermelon (1 cup=633 IU), egg (1=590 IU), milk (1 cup=330 IU), butter or fortified margarine (1 tsp=160 IU); lesser amounts in: apricots, dandelion greens, green onion, halibut, kale, liver, mackerel, mango, palm oil, papaya, parsley, persimmons, salmon, swordfish, turnip greens, winter squash |
| RDA / RNI (Doses): | *1,000 - 3,500 IU per day for adults; *always take with zinc; *continual doses over 5,000 IU may be toxic; doses over 10,000 IU are toxic; never take an excess, as it is stored in the liver; *only take extra Vitamin A if fighting a virus or infection, Vit. A deficient, or under doctors orders, and not if pregnant; |
| Side Effects: | (overuse) headaches, stress to the liver; |
| Symptoms of Deficiency: | degeneration of epithelial tissues (ie. the epidermis, vessels, etc.), dry eyes, dry skin, night blindness, susceptibility to infection, vulnerability to cancer; |
| Symptoms of Toxicity: | abdominal difficulties, bleeding gums, brittle nails, confusion, dizziness, double vision, dry skin, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, seizures, |
| Interactions: | Vitamin D and Zinc are necessary for absorption; Vit. A reduces Vit. E's effectiveness |
| Notes: | Lab Tests: dark-adaption test, electroretinogram, electronystagmogram, plasma carotene, plasma vitamin A; *apply externally for the treatment of boils and acne; *Beta Carotene is a less toxic A vitamin; |
Note: I am not a doctor, alternative health-care professional, dietician or nutritionist. All information on this site is from reliable and varied sources. It is for reference use only, and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or qualified alternative health care practitioner. Always check with your doctor or health-care provider before using supplements. Read the warnings, interactions, and side-effects carefully. Make sure to take into account nutrients gained through diet when using supplements.
To view my sources, check the BIBLIOGRAPHY.
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