Vitamin A is an important nutrient involved in healthy vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity. Also known as retinol or retinoic acid, Vitamin A also has antioxidant properties that help protect against heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
Vitamin A is found in many foods, including spinach, dairy products, and liver. Other sources include foods rich in beta-carotene, such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, and cantaloupe. Interestingly, your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
Doctors often prescribe supplements for vitamin A deficiency, which is rare in developed countries like the United States but very common in countries like India.
It is worth noting that vitamin A deficiency can lead to serious health problems.
To prevent complications from vitamin A deficiency, it’s important to maintain healthy levels of vitamin A. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 900 mcg per day for men and 700 mcg per day for women. However, taking in too much vitamin A can also cause serious harm to the body.
Taking too much vitamin A can cause serious side effects and can even be fatal if taken in extremely high doses.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin A poisoning?
Taking too much vitamin A can lead to chronic vitamin A toxicity, known as hypervitaminosis A. The most common symptoms of Vitamin A poisoning are:
- Visual impairment
- Joint and bone pain
- Anorexia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Photosensitivity
- Hair removal
- headache
- Dry skin
- My liver hurts
- jaundice
- Slow growth
- Loss of appetite
- confusion
- Itchy skin
Acute vitamin A poisoning can cause severe symptoms, including liver damage, increased intracranial pressure, and even death. Excessive intake of vitamin A can also be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn children.
How much Vitamin A should I take?
Always consult with your doctor before taking large amounts of vitamin A supplements. It’s important to meet the recommended daily intake of 700-900 mcg for adults, but not to exceed the daily limit of 3,000 mcg.
