Vitamin A has been used therapeutically to treat acne, psoriasis, and to speed wound healing.  A required component in the cells of our eye, Vitamin A helps with healthy vision along with being a potent antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and assists in reproduction and fertility.

Two forms of Vitamin A – retinol and retinoic acid help with the expression of genes that are responsible of growth and differentiation of cells.  Clinical studies are exploring the role of Vitamin A in cancer prevention and treatment.

One type of Vitamin A is found in colorful fruits and vegetables in the form of carotenoids which is a Vitamin A precursor.  Carotenoids have many health promoting properties and rich food sources of carotenoids include carrots, apricots, tomatoes, spinach, kale, bell peppers and sweet potatoes.  Vitamin A is also found in liver, dairy product, eggs or cod liver oil in the form of retinol.  A safe way of boosting your Vitamin A levels is by including these foods in your diet.

Vitamin A can be applied topically to help with some skin afflictions and also taken orally.  Topical application is helpful in lightening liver spots and dark spots on aging skin.  Vitamin A is often included in anti-aging formulas because it can help reduce fine lines.  The beauty of Vitamin A lies in its ability to help with skin issues, keep our vision and immune system healthy!

When buying a Multi-Vitamin or Vitamin A Supplement look for Vitamin A in a retinol palmitate or retinyl acetate form along with beta-carotene in the form of mixed carotenoids.  Look for a supplement that has at least 2000 IUs of Vitamin A to meet the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for women.  Pregnant women should avoid high doses of Vitamin A because it can be harmful to the fetus.

Vitamins are categorized by the materials in which they dissolve; Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin.  This means that it can be stored in the fat tissues of your body for up to 6 months, if you take too much of this vitamin it can be stored in your liver and can cause health problems.

You should speak with your doctor before starting any supplementation.  What supplements are a part of your essential daily routine?