Why is Vitamin A the Most Important Vitamin for Maintaining Youthful Skin?

Posted by SOLALTechnologies on March 19th, 2014

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for new cell growth and development of healthy skin, hair, teeth, mucus membranes, and skeletal and soft tissues. It also aids in maintaining and promoting good vision, especially in dim light. Vitamin A (also called retinol, its active form) produces pigments in the eye's retina, aiding in light absorption and colour and scotopic vision.

In addition to retinol, vitamin A can also be in the form of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects cells from free-radical damage. Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent especially among children. It occurs either as a primary or a secondary deficiency. The first happens when a person (adult or child) does not consume adequate food sources like yellow and green vegetables, liver, and fruits. Early weaning may also increase the risk. Secondary deficiency, on the other hand, is associated with impaired bile production and release, malabsorption of lipids, exposure to oxidants like cigarette smoke, and low fat diets.

One of the earliest symptoms or manifestation of deficiency is impaired vision in reduced light (also, night blindness). Chronic deficiency may also result in a series of ocular changes, like xerophthalmia, xerosis, Bitot's spots, keratomalacia, and the worst, total blindness. Vitamin A deficiency may also lead to impaired immunity, squamous metaplasia of epithelium linings in the urinary bladder and upper respiratory passages, hypokeratosis or white lumps at the follicles of the hair, and enamel hypoplasia (in dentistry).

Keeping an adequate supply of Vitamin A is essential for general health and it is especially important for pregnant and nursing women. Just the same, excessive levels of Vitamin A, especially when acquired through vitamin supplementation may cause birth defects, which is why it is important to monitor daily intake so as not to exceed the recommended values.

Vitamin A can be found in a wide range of food sources, ranging from dark green and yellow vegetables to yellow fruits, as well as in animal sources like liver, milk, whole eggs, butter, and cheese. Supplements may also be taken to get adequate amounts of vitamin A and maintain optimum bodily functions. Vitamin A supplementation is highly recommended, especially in people with chronic deficiency. To reduce risks of disorders resulting from Vitamin A deficiency, ask your physician about vitamin supplements and only buy from doctor-recommended and highly acclaimed manufacturers that offer research-tested neutraceuticals and vitamin supplements.

About the Author:

Headquartered in Bryanston, Sandton Gauteng, South Africa, SOLAL Technologies, Healthy Aging Specialists provides natural medicines and supplements with effective forms of nutraceuticals and herbal extracts, made in licensed facilities for quality. Bioidentical hormone advice, dermaceutical cosmetic skin creams, low-carb functional foods and sugar-free health drinks. SOLAL products are manufactured in cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) licensed facilities.