Benefits of Vitamin A

Researchers found that young animals fed a diet deficient in natural fats became very unhealthy, as evidenced by their inability to grow and their poor immune function. These researchers also noted that the animals' eyes became severely inflamed and infected on the restricted diet-conditions quickly relieved by the addition of butterfat or cod liver oil to the diet.

Once known as the anti-infective vitamin, Benefits of Vitamin A recently regained recognition as a major determinant of immune status.

There are 2 forms of Vitamin A:

Carotenes

Carotenes are the most widespread group of naturally occurring pigments in nature. They are an intensly colored (red and yellow) group of fat-soluble compounds derived from plant compounds. These compounds not only play a role in the process of photosynthesis, but play a crucial role in protecting the organism or plant against the tremendous amount of free radicals produced during photosynthesis.

Absorption and conversion of carotenes the active Vitamin A are more difficult than that of retinols and a variety of factors come into play including:

• Body Fat
• Protein Status
• Thyroid Health
• Zinc
• Vitamin C

Retinols or Pro-Vitamin A

When isolated in its pure form, Vitamin A is a crystal that is pure yellow. Vitamin A is termed Retinol, signifying that it is an alcohol involved in the function of the retina of the eye. Retinol is primarily involved with vision and reproduction, and retinoic acid being important in other body functions, such as growth and cell differentiation.

Synthetic versions of retinoic acid have been developed to treat many skin conditions and more recently, certain forms of cancers. Another form of synthetic Vitamin A, Isotretinoin or Accutane is used in treating severe cystic acne and disorders of the skin like psoriasis.

Unfortunately, these compounds have their side effects which include:

• Liver Damage
• Nausea
• Vomitting
• Muscle Pain
• Depression
• Aggression
• Birth Defects

With all of the above information, are you convinced that eating whole, real food can provide you benefits of Vitamin A?

Foods High in Pro-Vitamin A

Your food sources of Vitamin A include:

• Liver
• Kidney
• Egg Yolk obtained from chickens on pasture
• Butter obtained from grass fed cows
• Whole Milk (Raw)obtained from grass fed cows

Carotene Sources:

• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables(Collard Greens, Spinach, Kale)
• Yellow and Orange Vegetables(Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Yams and Squash)

Vitamin A Deficiency

• Immune System Abnormalities
• Ineffective Antibody Response
• Decreased Levels of Helper T-Cells
• Alterations in Mucousal Linings of Respiraratory System
• Alterations in Gastro Intestinal Tract
• Measles
• Chicken Pox and Shingles
• Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV)
• AIDS
• Pneumonia
• Follicular Hyper Keratosis=(Look for small red bumps on back of upper arm)
• Night Blindness
• Genitourinary Tract Complications

Even a mild Vitamin A deficiency is associated with a significant increase in mortality.

The RDA for Vitamin A is:

Infants Under 1 Year 1875 IU

Children

• 1-3 Years 2000 IU
• 4-6 Years 2500 IU
• 7-10 Years 3500 IU

Young Adults and Adults

• Males 11+ Years 5000 IU
• Females 11+ Years 4000 IU
• Pregnant Females 4000 IU
• Lactating Females 4000 IU
Benefits of Vitamin A have been utilized therapeutically up to 200,000IU so don't fear toxicity unless you are consuming excessive amounts of synthetic Vitamin A.

Far too many pregnant women have a false fear of Vitamin A toxicity and consequently, most Pre-Natal Vitamins contain the synthetic form of Vitamin A. Synthetic Vitamin A is linked to birth defects.

My preferred supplementation of Vitamin A is Cod Liver Oil. Don't turn your nose up just yet! I am rarely sick, have clear skin and have refused liver my entire life. The orange or lemon flavored Cod Liver Oil is quite pleasant added to my daily Green Smoothie.

Most recently in order to elevate my nutrient intake through food I have been freezing liver for 2 weeks, chopping it into small pieces and taking like a supplement with a meal and a warm cup of tea. I know this sounds rather unconventional but the energy explosion is phenomenal when I do this!

Many believe Cod Liver Oil to be a superior source of nutrition but more particularly, great benefits of vitamin a based on some compelling studies. Ask your parents and grandparents if they were raised on Cod Liver Oil, most will wrinkle their noses and exclaim YES! Our ancestors did know best.

Source Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Murray, 1996

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland found that they could reduce the incidence of malaria in Papua New Guinea with high doses of vitamin A. Those receiving a dose of vitamin A every three months for a year had a 30 percent lower incidence of the disease than those receiving a placebo. The greatest benefit was among the one- to three-year-old group. (The Lancet, 1999, 354:203-9) Chalk up one more confirmation of the work of Dr. Weston A. Price. He found that African natives who consumed indigenous foods did not suffer from insect-borne diseases, including malaria. Their diets had at least ten times more vitamin A than the American diet of his day.

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Benefits of Vitamin D

Benefits of Vitamin E

Benefits of Vitamin K

What Vitamins Should I Take?

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