What does vitamin A do? This antioxidant forms part of a group of compounds, which are essential for our health. The word vitamin comes from a combined latin word: "vital" which means necessary for life, and "amine" which is an organic compound.
They were given this name by polish chemist Casimir Funk in 1912. Our bodies (with some exceptions) can't produce vitamins, so we need to obtain them, in small amounts from our diet.
They occur naturally in plants and animals. There are 13 of them identified, which can be divided in two groups:
Water-soluble
Fat-soluble
This compound is a fat soluble vitamin. Our bodies can't produce it, that is why we have to obtain it from food. Find out here food rich in this antioxidant
skin vitamins
. Our organism stores this compound in the liver.
Benefits Of Vitamin A
As an antioxidant it has many benefits:
Beta carotene eyesight- Its antioxidant power is very important for our eyesight preventing
Loss of sight in older people
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Strengthen the immune system, preventing many infectious diseases such as:
Colds
Flu
Sinusitis
Bronchitis
Helps in the prevention of cancer
Helps in the prevention of heart related diseases
Helps in the development and maintenance of mucous membranes and reproduction
Vitamin A Skin
Can this great antioxidant help with
aging skin
and skin problems?
I believe it does.
It is essential for our skin because:
It heps to the regeneration of the skin, improving its condition.
Helps to improve
collagen
production, giving the skin a firmer and younger appearance.
Many cosmetic companies incorporate this antioxidant to their products, to improve prematurely aged skin and elasticity.
Contributes to healthy hair and nails.
It has antibacterial properties, helping to fight off skin infections.
Is very good for improving
dry skin
and very effective for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema.
Vitamin A Side Effects
A lack of it could lead to:
Night blindness.
Infectious diseases.
Premature death in developing countries, particulary among children.
An excess of it can lead to toxicity.
Carotenoids
Have you ever wondered why carrots are orange, or tomatoes are red? Well, this is due to certain pigments called carotenoids.
Carotenoids provide red, yellow and orange colours to fruits and vegetables, and can be converted into vitamin A. The most well known carotenoids are:
Beta-carotene
Alpha-carotene
Gamma-carotene
Luteinlycopene
There are around 600 identified carotenoids. Some of these are converted into provitamin A compounds, meaning that they are converted to retinol, which is an active form of this vitamin. The most effective is beta-carotene.
Beta Carotene Benefits
The health benefits of beta carotene are great. Carotenoids have important
antioxidant
properties helping with:
Cataracts
Heart disease
Some forms of cancer
Cholesterol
Aging skin
So to improve our health it makes good sense to include in our daily diet beta carotene food.
There is a condition called "carotenodermia" where your skin becomes yellow or orange. This is a consequence of beta carote overdose but don't worry is totally harmless.
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