Vitamin A Supplements

Vitamin A is known to be one of the important vitamins for many physiological systems in the body. Many studies have discovered the association of vitamin A deficiency and various diseases, highlighting the importance of this vitamin. Do you know that the all-trans-retinol molecule is commonly known as vitamin A? That's why vitamin A is associated with eye health, because this compound has properties similar to retinol present in the eye. More than eye health, this vitamin is also important for immunity, skin health, and cellular health, among many other health benefits. The vitamin A supplements can be useful in addressing this deficiency to promote overall wellness. 

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, the deficiency of which can lead to the development of various diseases. This essential nutrient is not naturally synthesized by our human body. So, we must take this through our diet. Some natural sources of preformed vitamin A are whole milk, oily fish, liver, meat, etc. Provitamin A sources are orange-fleshed fruits, yellow, orange, and green leafy vegetables. Many foods like breakfast cereals, margarines, beverages, processed dairy products, etc, are also fortified with vitamin A.

When you eat preformed vitamin A (retinol and retinyl ester) rich animal products, it is available immediately for the body to absorb. Whereas, provitamin A (beta carotene) found in plant products is a precursor that your body effectively uses to convert into vitamin A. 

Depending on the colour, degree of ripeness, cultivation methods, preparation, and consumption methods, the carotenoid content varies. Cooking, cutting, and heating foods containing carotenoids enhances the bioavailability. Consequently, the bioavailability and bioconversion rates of food sources also vary. More importantly, deficiencies of certain micronutrients like iron and zinc also impact the ability of carotenoids to convert into vitamin A. 

Including the best vitamin A supplements and multivitamin supplements with vitamin A in your daily regimen can help you meet the nutritional requirements of your body. Taking these with a meal containing fat can help you with better absorption. However, ensure that you read the label of the particular multivitamin supplement you take to get optimal health benefits. 

Vitamin A Health Benefits

The retinoids are useful for various processes like vision, tissue growth, reproduction, cell differentiation, immune response, etc. Also, the carotenoids play the role of an antioxidant. The vitamin A food supplements can provide this important nutrient if your diet is insufficient. Some of the common health benefits of vitamin A are:

Vision Health 

In older people, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the important reasons for vision loss. Many factors, including general aging, genetics, and environmental reasons, can be the cause of this. However, vitamin A supplements for eyes with carotenoids have antioxidant function to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which can be useful to help with tissue health in the eyes. In a study, people with a high risk of developing AMD showed a 25% reduction in risk of developing AMD after taking a supplement containing beta-carotene along with Vitamin E, C, Zinc, and Copper for 5 years, compared to those who took a placebo. Further follow-up studies also showed a reduction in the progression of AMD. 

Immunity Support

Vitamin A is important for normal immune function. A deficiency of this vitamin can result in a depressed antibody response to T-cell-dependent antigens. Also, the activation and growth of T and B cells depend on vitamin A and its associated metabolites. The effect of vitamin A deficiency and immune health is more evident from the studies done on children. In adults, prolonged infections can result in diminished hepatic reserves of vitamin A. In those cases, daily supplementation with supplement with vitamin A can help reduce infection risk as this vitamin serves as an immune enhancer. 

Inflammation Support

Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin A can act as an anti-infective vitamin. So, it can help combat inflammation in the body. A deficiency of vitamin A often leads to suppressed immunity, especially among children. Acute inflammation reduces retinol levels in the body mainly due to an increase in the urinary retinol excretion, reduced absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and a lower ability of the liver to synthesize retinol-binding protein. Meta-analysis of multiple studies showed that adequate vitamin A levels can support inflammatory factors in the body and deficiency of vitamin A may increase inflammation in the body. Vitamin A beta carotene supplements can help you achieve optimal levels of this crucial vitamin. 

Bone Health

Adequate consumption of vitamin A through food and good vitamin A supplements has been shown to support and maintain healthy bones. Cohort studies have found a positive correlation between vitamin A and bone health. Particularly, lower vitamin A levels were found in individuals with osteopenia and osteoporosis. At the same time, healthy levels of vitamin D is also needed. Another study found a favourable relationship between vitamin A intake and the risk of fractures in overweight people. At the same time, proper intake of the required levels of vitamin A is important. That is why consulting with an expert is crucial for taking supplements with vitamin A. 

Skin and Hair Health

The primary active metabolites of vitamin A are retinoic acid and retinol. These influence hair cycle functioning and wound healing. Vitamin A deficiency can affect follicular health.  As skin is a main retinoid-responsive tissue, vitamin A supplement for acne can support skin health. Many topical skin care creams contain retinoids to nourish the skin. These can help with wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and the smoothness of the skin. 

How Much Vitamin A Do You Need?

The recommended dietary allowance RDA for individuals is given below:

Vitamin A deficiency has been found to be an important reason for several diseases, particularly blindness. It is also known to impact immune competence and infection-fighting abilities. According to the WHO, 3 million children develop vitamin A deficiency. 

When it comes to vitamin A intake, you must also know about vitamin A toxicity, which is the excess consumption of vitamin A. Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin A is necessary so that you don't take it in excess. Especially for smokers, it can be harmful to take too much vitamin A. That is why choosing the best vitamin A supplement that contains optimal vitamin A levels is important. When you take other types of supplements, always consult an expert before adding any additional vitamin A to your diet. 

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin A?

Adults get vitamin A from their diet, but deficiency may be common among:

• Elderly people

• People who are immunocompromised

• Individuals with chronic skin conditions 

• Those with malabsorption problems 

• Pregnant women (under medical advice) 

If your doctor finds that you have a vitamin A deficiency and may need additional support, you can consult with them to find the right type of vitamin A supplement for your body's unique needs. Ensure that you discuss your complete health history and any other medication or supplement you take so that you get the right advice for your health requirements. 

Choosing Vitamin A Supplements

Depending on the formulation, some products may be standalone vitamin A supplements, while others can contain additional vitamins to support efficient absorption by the body. You can find these supplements in soft gel and capsule form on our webiste, Nutriessential. It is important to consult an expert before you take supplements containing vitamin A to maintain optimal levels of this key nutrient in the body. 

Vitamin A from Protocol for Life Balance, containing 7,500 mcg of vitamin A, is a popular choice in this category for eye and skin health. It can also support immune function. Similar formulations are also available from brands like Now, Genestra, etc. A combination vitamin A food supplement from Progressive Laboratories contains vitamin A and D, which work synergistically to enhance the effectiveness. CodeAge offers ADK vitamins, which again contain bioavailable forms of these vitamins for long-lasting support for the immune system, bone, and heart health.  

FAQs

1. What are the vitamin A supplement benefits?

Vitamin A is important for many physiological functions. It's particularly important for 

• Eye health for age-related macular degeneration

• Healthy skin

• Immune response

• Reproductive health

• Wound healing. 

2. What's the difference between preformed vitamin A and provitamin A in supplements?

Preformed vitamin A has a higher absorption rate compared to provitamin A supplements with beta carotene. This is because preformed vitamin A is readily absorbed by the body, while provitamin A must be converted into retinol by the body. 

3. What should vegetarians or vegans consider when buying vitamin A supplements?

Plant-based diets provide provitamin A to the body, which may not be effectively converted into retinol. Those who are on a plant-based diet may look for supplements with preformed retinol. Make sure that you read the product labels for ingredients and adequate dosage. 

4. Can I take vitamin A supplements when I am already taking other supplements?

You should be cautious when you want to take vitamin A supplements along with other supplements or medications. Only a health expert can understand your history and supplement usage and determine which type of vitamin A supplement can be right for you. 

5. Where can I buy vitamin A supplements?

Nutriessential is the best place to buy vitamin A supplements, as we have curated premium supplements from the top brands. Moreover, we also have an in-house health expert who can advise you on the right type of supplement based on your unique health needs.