Vitamin A

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat soluble vitamin that plays a number of important roles in the body, from supporting normal vision to immune function. Beta-carotene, a carotenoid found in colourful foods, such as carrots, is a provitamin which is converted into vitamin A in the body.

Vitamin A provides a number of benefits, including helping to maintain normal skin, normal vision and supporting the normal function of the immune system.

Vitamin A is included in a number of our products, that are formulated for specific health needs. This includes Visionace, which contains vitamin A, B2 and zinc which contribute to the maintenance of normal vision.

Vitamin A plays a number of important roles within the body. These include contributing to:

• Normal iron metabolism

• The maintenance of normal mucous membranes

• The maintenance of normal skin

• The maintenance of normal vision

• The normal function of the immune system

• The process of cell specialisation

The amount of vitamin A adults aged 19 to 64 need is:

• 700 µg a day for men

• 600 µg a day for women

Foods rich in vitamin A include cheese, eggs, milk and yoghurt. Liver and liver pates are very high in vitamin A, so should only be eaten once per week and avoided if pregnant.

You can also obtain vitamin A by consuming foods rich in beta-carotene, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Beta-carotene is a provitamin that is converted to vitamin A in the body.

Consuming large amounts of vitamin A can harm your unborn baby. So if you're pregnant or thinking about having a baby, you should avoid consuming liver or liver products, such as pâté, because these are very high in vitamin A. Also avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A. Our range of Pregnancy Vitamins & Supplements do not include vitamin A and provide you with many of the key nutrients you need to support you before, during and after pregnancy.