https://www.testosterone.me/getting-enough-vitamin
Vitamin A is not just one nutrient, but a class of nutrients which all fill the same necessary range of needs for the human body. The most commonly known source of Vitamin A is Beta-Carotene, but others include Retinoic Acid, Retinal, and Retinol. Vitamin A is not only a crucial Antioxidant, but it also facilitates normal and healthy function in a range of other ways.
For example, Vitamin A is critical for eye development and eye health, because it is a component of Rhodopsin, which is necessary for the eyes to absorb light properly. Beyond vision, Vitamin A is highly influential in the normalized function of other organs and systems, such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart.
Types of Vitamin A—Preformed Vitamin A and Provitamin A
Though there are many subclasses of Vitamin A, they can all be divided into two groups—Preformed and Provitamin A. Preformed Vitamin A is found solely in products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, and dairy. Provitamin A is found in plant pigments, and the three most common forms of Provitamin A are Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Alpha-Carotene, and the famous Beta-Carotene. The body absorbs both types of Vitamin A and converts it into Retinoic Acid and Retinal.
Five Reasons You Should Make Sure You Get Your Vitamin A
Vitamin A Preserves Vision and Eye Function
Macular Degeneration is a significant risk as men and women get older, and is exacerbated by Vitamin A Deficiency. One study found that a supplemental cocktail which included Vitamin A and other essential nutrients reduced the chances of Macular Degeneration for ¼ of patients over the course of 6 years. Furthermore, eye drop formulations of Vitamin A have proven useful for patients with chronic dry eyes.
