Vitamin A:
Good Old Vitamin A
Recent government surveys have discovered that most people do not consume enough Vitamin A in their daily diets. This is not good, because Vitamin A is essential to optimal living performance. In fact, serious health problems can result from long-term Vitamin A deficiencies.
Vitamin A is important from the very beginning of life. Pregnant women should be sure to consume sufficient amounts of Vitamin A, because Vitamin A plays a major role in the proper physical development of a baby. It helps to promote proper cell differentiation, which is the specialization of cells upon division to take over specific tasks, meaning that cells for the heart take on their characteristics, and so on and so forth. Vitamin A also serves in bone growth and development, as well as the general growth and development of the body.
Vitamin A has a significant part in the quality and functioning of the immune system. One facet of immune system function involves the skin and body's mucus membranes. The skin and mucus membranes operate as barriers against bacteria and viruses, protecting against infection and disease. Vitamin A helps to keep the skin and mucus membranes healthy and properly serving their primary purpose.
As we've all heard that carrots are good for the eyes. That is because they are packed full of Vitamin A, which is essential to vision. In fact, a serious deficiency in Vitamin A can result in blindness. Many third world children have become blind simply because of the lack of Vitamin A in their diets.
Vitamin A also serves to keep the surface linings of the intestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts healthy. This offers protection from bacteria, as well as promotes proper functioning.
One of the more common units of measure for Vitamin A found on packaging labels of food and dietary supplements is the International Unit, or IU. Adult and teenage males should be sure to consume at total of 3,000 IU of Vitamin A per day. Adult women and teenage females should have 2,310 IU per day, 2,565 IU per day if pregnant and 4,300 IU per day if breastfeeding. For children ages 9 through 13, 2,000 IU is recommended, with 1,320 IU being sufficient for those aged 4 through 8. From the first year through age 3, 1,000 IU is the recommended dose.
Using dietary supplements to complete a healthy diet can ensure optimum performance in the body. However, it is important to heed the label for the best amount to be taken for your dietary needs.
Proper nutrition is essential to achieving and maintaining health. It is much better to prevent sickness than to recover from it. Taking steps to ensure you are getting enough Vitamin A each day is an essential part of reaching your health goals.
Editor's Note: Although the above article encourages the use of vitamin pills, here at Health & Beyond Online we get our daily vitamins and minerals from Dr. Ben Kim's Greens, a fantastic supergreen food. Click here to learn all about this excellent alternative to popping pills. Oh yeah, your budget will really appreciate Dr. Ben Kim's Greens per serving cost when compared to a cabinet full of vitamins and mineral pills.
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