What are the vitamin A health benefits and how do you know if you have a deficiency? Let’s take a look at this essential vitamin and how to consume it.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health. They play vital roles in all sorts of functionalities. However, each vitamin typically has one specific function. Not Vitamin A.
Vitamin A touches practically every function in the human body. You should include this vitamin into your daily diet for better health. Below you will discover Vitamin A health benefits and learn ways to tell if you are Vitamin A deficient. I’ll also provide tips for addressing vitamin A deficiencies.
Vitamin A Health Benefits
What exactly is vitamin A? Known as Beta retinol, this vitamin has several important functions. Vitamin A health benefits include promotings strong bones, teeth, and hair. It is also responsible for building a strong immune system. The reproductive system also flourishes under this vitamin. Lastly, night vision is only functional with this vitamin.
Vitamin A Deficiency
How do you know if you are Vitamin A deficient? Do you have dry skin? Do you have brittle bones? Are your teeth underdeveloped? Have trouble seeing in the dark? Chances are you lack this essential vitamin.
Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States. However, people do develop the condition. Luckily, it is very easy to remove.
What can you do to get ensure you get vitamin A benefits and avoid deficiency? Many foods contain this vitamin. Thus, eating foods rich in this vitamin will remove deficiencies.
What sort of foods are high in vitamin A? Any foods containing beta-carotenes. Carrots are the best source. They contain 157% DV in just one carrot! Not a carrot fan? There are other foods available!
Cooked sweet potatoes contain 438% DV of vitamin A per potato. Even a salad containing leafy greens has very high amounts of Vitamin A. Leafy greens contain 354% DV per one cup serving.
If you’re not a vegetable fan there are other alternatives. Do you enjoy seafood? Try a 3oz serving of fish that contains 43% DV!
If you do not like vegetables or seafood try some fruit! Tropical fruits are rich in Vitamin A. A half cup serving of apricots contains as much as 151% DV! Increase it to a cup and you can get 302% of your DV! Other fruits include mangos and cantaloupe. These contain almost an entire DV in each serving!
Based on the above listings, it is hard to believe that people still develop Vitamin A deficiency. But, it still happens.
As a populace we have switched to a high carb diet. Unfortunately, high carb diets do not contain much vitamin A. Pasta and other processed foods are cheap. Not only are they cheap but they are quick and easy to consume. In a fast paced society it is inevitable that people will make the switch to a highly processed high carb diet.
Plus, natural foods aren’t always cheap. Depending on the season they could be cheap or expensive. However, there is a way to combat this. Do you want to remain healthy with your fast paced lifestyle and diet? Looking to keep your grocery bill down? Trying to keep the household healthy and happy? Look to buying a Vitamin A supplement. A bottle is only a few dollars. They can found at practically anywhere. Not sure how much Vitamin A you need? There’s a handy chart here!
Looking for stronger bones? Do you want better reproductive health? Are your eyes starting to fail? Look no further than Vitamin A for better health!
