| Vitamin A is present in a whole lot of foods that | | | | its antioxidant properties, it is considered cancer |
| form part of our daily diet. It is there in meat, | | | | preventive as well. |
| dairy products, eggs, and root vegetables like | | | | Detriments |
| carrot and sweet potato. It may be absorbed | | | | Vitamin A deficiency can lead to various disorders, |
| directly into the body as vitamin A, or as | | | | the more common among them being eye |
| pro-vitamin which will later get transformed into | | | | problems. While minor deficiencies may affect |
| the necessary form within the body. It is | | | | night vision, severe lack of vitamin A in the body |
| necessary for the optimum functioning of organs | | | | can destroy the cornea leading to complete loss |
| like eyes, skin, teeth etc. and also for maintaining | | | | of vision. Half a million children go blind every year |
| a strong immune system. Vitamin A is stored in | | | | in underdeveloped countries due to the deficiency |
| the liver and can be harmful if taken in excess. | | | | of this vitamin. A weakened immune system, |
| Benefits | | | | damage to air passages and cell linings are other |
| Necessary amount of vitamin A in the body is | | | | results of vitamin A deficiency. |
| crucial for vision. It is necessary for the | | | | Dangers |
| production of the retinal pigment known as | | | | Certain edible things like polar bear liver contains |
| rhodopsin, which is used for the development of | | | | excessive amounts of this vitamin. Extra vitamin |
| photoreceptor cells and for vision in very dim light. | | | | A is not secreted from the body and remains in |
| The vitamin is also necessary for preventing the | | | | the liver. Deposits of it in the liver may lead of |
| drying of cornea as well as retina. | | | | diseases like jaundice, and other problems like |
| Other health benefits of vitamin A are that it | | | | headache, nausea, or general weakness. High level |
| keeps the bone, mucous membranes, teeth, and | | | | of accumulation may lead to poisoning, fractures, |
| skin healthy. It is used in treating acne and is part | | | | sleeplessness, peeling off of the skin etc. |
| of many anti-aging creams and lotions. Because of | | | | |