Vitamin A

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is stored in the liver.Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses.Carotenoids are substances that are converted into vitamin A in the body and are often called provitamin A. A well-known carotenoid is beta-carotene.Normal intake of vitamin A is very important for pregnant women, both too much and too little intake can harm the foetus.

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What does vitamin A do for the body?

Vitamin A is very important for normal vision, and especially night vision. In addition, vitamin A is important for normal cell division (especially in fetal life), maintenance of the immune system and maintenance of skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin A is also important for normal growth and development in children and young people.

Sources of vitamin A in the diet

Good sources of vitamin A and of carotenoids (provitamin A) in the diet are cod liver oil, fatty fish, liver, egg yolk, dairy products, yellow-red and green vegetables.

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Recommended daily intake of vitamin A

• Children under 14 years: 350-600 µg.

• Women over 14 years: 700 µg.µg: microgramAmount of µg stated is in the form of retinol.

• Men over 14 years: 900 µg.

• Pregnant: 800 µg.

• Lactating: 1100 µg.

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For children under 14, the recommendations vary depending on age.

Breast milk contains the necessary vitamins the child needs, so for children under 6 months who are fully breastfed, supplementation is not recommended unless a doctor or health nurse says otherwise.

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What happens when there is a lack of vitamin A?

Examples of signs of vitamin A deficiency are poor night vision, reduced growth in children, signs of a weakened immune system, loss of appetite and dry/rough skin. If you go over time with too little vitamin A, you can suffer permanent eye damage and, in the worst case, lose your sight completely.

Lack of vitamin A in pregnant women can lead to birth defects.