What can vitamin A do? Expert on the health benefits of nutrients -and you need to take supplements.

Although not the most colorful nutrients, vitamin A plays an important role in health, including the immune system function. Vitamins have recently attracted attention as a possible way to treat certain infectious diseases such as measles, but the doctor Many wrong information It surrounds this major nutrients. Vitamin A can be obtained from certain foods, but it is also provided in the form of supplements. However, nutritionists and doctors warn about supplementing vitamin A themselves because they can overdose this nutrients. Here are some things you need to know about vitamin A:

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is the name of the retinoid group. National Institute of Health (NIH: National Institute of Health). Like vitamins D, E and K, this is A VitaminsThis means that it is dissolved in fat and stored in the organization and liver in the body.

“Vitamin A starts at the cell level and plays a lot of important roles in our bodies, and there is a risk of being too small and too much to be consumed in a balanced way.” Ashlee BobrickNutritionist nutritionists at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center speaks in Yahoo Life.

The body cannot make vitamin A for itself, so you should rely on the food you eat. Dr. Danbee KimThe assistant professor of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School speaks in Yahoo Life.

What does vitamin A do in the body?

“Think of vitamin A as a multitasking over the nutrient world. It is good for eye, skin, immune system and even cell growth.” TonyGeorge Washington University’s Health Policy and Population Science Professor and Associate Professors and Associate Professors and Associate Professors speak to Yahoo Life. “But like excessive achievements, too much problem can arise.”

Kim says that this is the biggest role in vitamin A in the body.

• It supports vision health. “This helps to maintain vision, especially in that light,” she said. “Deficiency can cause night blindness and increase the risk of vision loss.”

• Increase immunity. Vitamin A supports leukocytes and strengthens the immune system by protecting the body from infection, Kim explained.

• You can lower the risk of cancer. “Some studies have suggested by vitamin A of plants. Can reduce the risk of cancerKim says. But she also points out that high -dose vitamins can be especially harmful to smokers.

• Promote healthy skin. “Vitamin A changes the way skin cells develop inside.” Dr. IFE RODNEYFounder Eternal Dermatology + AestheticsSpeak in Yahoo’s life. “Some of the most popular skincare products help to change the way skin cells evolve, helping acne, fine lines and skin discoloration.”

• It supports reproductive health. Kim said, “It is essential for the development of fertility and healthy fetal development, but excessive intake can be harmful during pregnancy.”

• Strengthen bones and teeth. Vitamin A helps bone growth, but too much can increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis, Kim says.

Overall, vitamin A plays a role in the “pretty essential things of the body,” Yang says.

What can vitamin A do?

Most confusions around vitamin A include infectious diseases, especially measles. Vitamin A is sometimes used to treat measles when someone is already infected, but it can’t actually prevent vaccines from being as cans. Dr. Thomas Rousseau, Professor and chief of infectious diseases at Buffalo University in New York speaks in Yahoo Life. However, it is a bit complicated to use vitamin A for measles.

2010 Scientific analysis In the six randomly contrasting tests, those who died in measles after taking vitamin A treatment found that there is no significant reduction. But when researchers cut off goods with dosage, they found that at least two doses of vitamin A had a 62%decrease in death to measles.

However, there are some important contexts here. “The main study of measles, especially severe measles, was in developing countries where children often have malnutrition and vitamin A sufficient.” Dr. William Sharpner, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is an epidemic specialist and professor in Yahoo Life. In this case, as soon as possible in infected children, certain doses of vitamin A can help reduce the risk of measles complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation), Schaffner explains.

“But it is in developing countries,” he says. American vitamin A deficiency RarelyAccording to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Russo said, “It is very different from the case of vitamin A in the severe measles of children with vitamin A deficiency. “It is rare for American children to have vitamin A deficiency.”

nevertheless American Pediatrics Academy‘Children who suffer from measles that are sufficient to be hospitalized should provide two vitamin A supplements to prevent eye damage and blindness. (Measles are likely to cause the biggest blindness. People who have not been vaccinated According to the US Academy of Ophthalmology, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that medical service providers will provide two dosage vitamin A to children and adults with measles every 24 hours.

Russo told American children that “potential benefits will be moderate.” “Still, some doses of vitamin A will not be harmful,” he adds.

But Schafffner emphasizes that vitamin A will prevent people from getting measles from the beginning. “All stops: vitamin A does not prevent measles,” he says. “This should not be regarded for measles in vaccination” – MMR vaccine -“And there are many confusion around it.”

Regarding the role of vitamin A in cancer prevention, even NIH even online The data is mixed“Some clinical trial evidence suggests that supplementary vitamin A can reduce the risk of certain cancers, but can increase the risk of different types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and mortality and all cause mortality. As a result, it is better for everyone to take vitamin A to prevent cancer.

How much vitamin A is needed?

The daily allowance (RDA) recommended for vitamin A is given as a retinol activity equivalent (RAE) and describes various types of vitamin A, which is converted into retinol by the body. NIH: National Institute of Health.

Recommendations depend on age and gender, but in general, children under 13 years of age obtain 300 to 600 MCG RAE, while people aged 14 or older should target 700 ~ 900 mcg RAE.

You can overdose vitamin A

This is a big concern about vitamin A, and it is a major reason for experts to first consult a medical service provider and take vitamin A supplements. YANG said, “If you take too much, unlike water -soluble vitamins that pee, excessive vitamin A can be stored in the body, which can cause toxic over time.

Its toxicity can lead to various health complications, including liver problems and other organ damage. American National Medical Library.

YANG said, “Overdose of vitamin A is not pretty. Network, dizziness, headaches, liver damage and extreme can lead to congenital defects.

Best food source of vitamins a

Bobrick said vitamin A can be found in animal and plant products. Notable value: Russo points out that food alone is likely to overdose vitamin A.

Bobrick says this is the largest source of vitamin A.

• Meteor fish such as salmon, cod liver and mackerel

• Dark, leafy green, such as spinach and kale

If you are considering vitamin A supplements

Vitamin A appears in some vitamins and Kim says it’s okay. But adding additional vitamin A supplements can be dangerous and there is a risk of toxicity.

YANG said, “Check it to the medical service provider first. More things are not always better. “If the diet is balanced, it will probably be enough.”