Why Does My Body Need Vitamin A?by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 26 Feb 2007 05:04 PM What's number one on that multivitamin label? Vitamin A! It may be at the top of the list, but do you know why your body needs it? Vitamin A is critical for your vision -- especially night vision. A deficiency of vitamin A is a major cause of blindness around the world. This vitamin (also known as retinol) also helps promote growth, skin cell regeneration, and reproduction. Vitamin A drops can help relieve dry eyes. Vitamin A also helps keep your mucous membranes healthy and your immune system functioning. The moistness of your mucous membranes helps your body trap and remove bacteria and viruses. Viruses seem to retreat in the presence of vitamin A. This vitamin can help your body fight measles and respiratory viruses quickly. Vitamin A is also a cancer fighter. This vitamin can inhibit the growth of DNA in cancerous cells. Established cancers grow more slowly in the presence of vitamin A; retinol can also help keep leukemia cells from dividing and reproducing. Using the vitamin topically seems to lighten liver spots and treat skin cancers. Many skin disorders -- including acne, psoriasis, wrinkles, sun damage, and whiteheads -- are often treated with vitamin A. This vitamin promotes cell turnover and is also found in the hair loss drug minoxidil. The single best food source for vitamin A? Liver. If you can't stomach that, you do have other options. Retinol can be found in animal foods; carotenoids in plant foods can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Which plants are full of vitamin A? Colorful yellow and orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, peaches, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and mangoes. Carotenoids are also powerful antioxidants that can help clean dangerous compounds out of your body. If you aren't getting enough vitamin A, your body will show it. You may start to lose your night vision. Your skin can grow rough. Your immune system will be less responsive, and you may be more susceptible to infectious diseases. A vitamin A deficiency is most often seen among low-income groups. Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevanthealth tags User Comments  Michele Cheplic |
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