Vitamin A

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Other names for vitamin A

Retinyl Palmitate
Retinol
Beta-Carotene (provitamin A)
mixed carotenoids
vitamin A (beta carotene)
vitamin A (mixed carotenoids)
Vitamin A (mixed)
Vitamin A (not specified)
vitamin A (palmitate)
Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
Vitamin A (retinol)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Vitamin A (retinyl not specified)
Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate)
vitamin A (retinyl palmitate)
Vitamin A (unspecified)
Vitamin A (vitamin A acetate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A cetate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A Palmitate)

Synopsis of vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for vision, immune function, skin health, and cell growth. There are two main forms of vitamin A:

  1. Preformed Vitamin A (Retinoids): Found in animal sources, such as liver, fish oils, dairy products, and eggs. The most active form of retinoids is retinol, which the body can directly use.
  2. Provitamin A (Carotenoids): Found in plant-based foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale. The most common carotenoid, beta-carotene, is converted by the body into retinol as needed. Carotenoids are also antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative damage.

Vitamin A plays an essential role in maintaining good vision, particularly in low-light conditions, through its active form, retinal, which is a key component of rhodopsin, the protein in the eyes that enables night vision. It also supports immune function by promoting the health of epithelial tissues (such as skin and mucous membranes), which act as barriers to infections.

Additionally, vitamin A is crucial for cell growth and differentiation, particularly in the development of healthy skin, bones, and reproductive health. Vitamin A also plays a significant role in wound healing, skin repair, and reducing inflammation.

Historical Use:
Vitamin A has a rich history of use, particularly in preventing blindness and improving vision. As early as the 18th century, researchers noticed that liver (especially cod liver oil) could prevent night blindness and other eye disorders, though the specific vitamin responsible was not identified until the 20th century.

In the 1930s, scientists identified vitamin A as the key nutrient that helped to prevent night blindness and xerophthalmia, a condition of dry, damaged eyes. This was a breakthrough in understanding the role of nutrition in eye health. Vitamin A deficiency became known to contribute to severe vision loss, especially in developing countries where adequate nutrition was not always available.

In the 1940s, the link between vitamin A and skin health was discovered. Vitamin A, especially in the form of retinoids, became popular in dermatology for the treatment of acne and aging skin. It was used topically in the form of retinoid creams and ointments for anti-aging, cell turnover, and acne management.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the use of carotenoids such as beta-carotene in antioxidant-rich diets gained popularity, not only for their role in skin health but also for their cancer-preventive properties. By the 1980s, vitamin A and its derivatives began to be widely used in both cosmetic and medical treatments, including as treatments for various skin conditions and eye diseases.

Today, vitamin A remains one of the most important nutrients in the field of preventive health. It is fortified in many foods, especially in developing nations, to prevent blindness and deficiency-related diseases. It continues to be used for its vision benefits, as well as in topical treatments for skin conditions, and is often found in multivitamins and cosmetic formulations.

Vitamin A is used for these health conditions

Acne (Scientific)
Age Spots (Scientific)
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Anemia (Scientific)
Burns and Scalds (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer (prevention) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Cervical Dysplasia (Scientific)
Chicken Pox (Scientific)
Conjunctivitis (Scientific)
Dermatitis (Scientific)
Diarrhea (Scientific)
Eye Infections (Scientific)
Eye Problems (Scientific)
Eyes (red or itching) (Scientific)
Eyes (spots before) (Scientific)
Eyesight (poor) (Scientific)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Scientific)
Hair Care (general) (Scientific)
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Leukemia (Scientific)
Macular Degeneration (Scientific)
Measles (Scientific)
Night Blindness (Scientific)
Pneumonia (Scientific)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements to avoid during) (Scientific)
Psoriasis (Scientific)
Skin (dry and/or flaky) (Scientific)
Skin Care (general) (Scientific)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)
Wrinkles (Scientific)

vitamin A is used to support these body systems

Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Eyes (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Lungs (Scientific)
Mucus Membranes (Scientific)
Peyer’s patches (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Respiratory System (Scientific)
Senses (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Small Intestines (Scientific)
Teeth (Scientific)
Thymus (Scientific)