Vitamin A for Skin benefits (Detailed Overview with Food Sources and Deficiency)

Vitamin A Skin benefits, food sources, and deficiency

Vitamin A refers to a class of fat-soluble retinoids. Vitamin A helps in immune function, eyesight, reproduction, and cellular communication. Vitamin A also promotes cell growth and differentiation, and it is essential for the appropriate formation and maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. There are two forms of vitamin A: Retinoids (derived from animal products) and Carotenoids are derived from plants. The liver converts both kinds to retinol. It is then either stored or delivered to cells throughout the body through the lymphatic system.

Vitamin A for Skin

When treated topically, the skin is a retinoid-responsive organ that easily absorbs vitamin A. Retinol promotes the growth of new skin cells. Without it, the skin might become excessively dry. A retinol deficiency can also result in follicular hyperkeratosis, a disorder characterized by an excess of keratin in the hair follicles. This results in the formation of elevated papules on the skin. Acne, wrinkles, and fine lines can be treated with vitamin supplements or topical retinoids.

You can prevent your skin with these tips:

• Avoid excessive UV radiation from the sun: 
• Use sunscreen cream.
• Cigarettes should not be smoked
• Perform cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliation.

Read - Role of Vitamin D in skincare and skin-related other ailments

 Vitamin A: Health Benefits

It encourages healthy growth and reproduction: Vitamin A is required for both men and women to have a healthy reproductive system, as well as for embryos to grow and develop normally during pregnancy.

Promotes bone health: Protein, calcium, and vitamin D are essential nutrients for keeping healthy bones as you age. However, adequate vitamin A intake is also required for appropriate bone growth and development, and a lack of this vitamin has been associated with poor bone health.

 Reduces the chances of acne: Acne is a persistent inflammatory skin condition. This illness causes painful patches and blackheads, which most usually appear on the face, back, and chest.

It may reduce your risk of some cancers: Cancer develops when aberrant cells begin to grow or divide uncontrollably. As vitamin A is essential for cell growth and development it has a certain impact on the risk of cancer.

Food Sources of Vitamin A 

Vitamin A can be extracted through meat and plant sources such as:

• Beef live, Fish oils
• Sweet Potatoes
• Green leafy vegetables such as Spinach
• Dairy products such as cheese, curd, milk, and eggs
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Peppers
• Cereals
• Mangoes
• Apricot
• Tomatoes

Read - Vitamin K uses, deficiency and food sources

Deficiency of Vitamin A

Premature Infants: When newborns do not obtain an appropriate amount of breast milk, they develop chronic diarrhea. Xerophthalmia is the most prevalent sign of vitamin A insufficiency in young children and pregnant women.

Risk Factors 

Infants born prematurely: Clinical vitamin A insufficiency occurs in malnutrition children. A lack of vitamin A increases the risk of eye, chronic lung, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Cancer: Research says the connection between vitamin A and various types of cancer is because it plays a role in controlling cell growth and differentiation. However, there is no obvious link between vitamin A levels and cancer risk.

Age Macular Degeneration: A prominent cause of substantial vision loss in elderly persons is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The cause of AMD is largely unknown, but the cumulative effect of oxidative stress is thought to play a role that results out of Vitamin A deficiency.

Measles: Vitamin A deficiency in measles is a known risk factor for severe measles.

Side effects 

Too much vitamin A intake can lead to these health conditions such as: 

• Headaches  
• Impaired vision 
• Dizziness
• Liver damage
• Nausea  
• Coma

Some study suggests that consuming more than an average of 1.5 mg (1,500 g) of vitamin A per day for several years may alter your bones, making them more prone to fracture as you age. 

This is especially critical for older adults, particularly women, who are already at a higher risk of osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition. Excessive vitamin A consumption can be harmful to your unborn child.

Read - Skin Benefits of Vitamin E, its sources and symptoms of deficiency

FAQs

Q.  How Vitamin A is effective for good vision for the eyes?

Vitamin A is crucial for vision because it is a component of rhodopsin, a protein that absorbs light in the retinal receptors, and it promotes the correct differentiation and function of the conjunctival membranes and cornea.

Q. What will happen if someone took Vitamin A overdose?

As vitamin A is fat-soluble, excess amounts are stored in the body (mostly in the liver) which can further build up the levels. Excessive intake of vitamin A might be harmful and can cause hypervitaminosis A.

Q. How much vitamin A should a person take per day?

The daily intake of Vitamin A should not exceed 1.5 mg. Therefore the advisable amount is Men should get 900 mcg of vitamin A per day, women 700 mcg, and children and adolescents 300–600 mcg.

Q. What is the most common cause for a deficiency in vitamin A?

Vitamin A deficiency can be caused by a lack of vitamin A over an extended period. This is especially true if rice is your major source of carbohydrate (rice has no carotene). Vitamin A shortage can arise when your body is unable to utilize the vitamin A in your food.

Q. Who is most vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency?

Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, newborns, and children are the most vulnerable to Vitamin A deficiency. The cases of chronic diarrhea and cystic fibrosis may further raise the risk of deficiency.

Q. How is vitamin A beneficial for good hair?

Vitamin A is required for the growth of all cells including hair (the human body's fastest-growing tissue). Vitamin A aids in the production of sebum, an oily material produced by skin glands. Sebum hydrates the scalp and contributes to the health of the hair.

Ghar ka Baidya is dedicated to provide you all skin related issues solutions in the best possible manner and suitable time. We focus on deliver high quality content generally on demand. if you like this article, please write to us. If you need coverage on specific skin topic, let us know. In severe condition, we would recommend you to consult to the respective doctor(s).