Introduction

Often touted as a miracle vitamin, vitamin A is the secret to great skin, higher immunity levels and holistic growth. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that also improves eyesight, helps strengthen bones, protects the body from heart related diseases, alleviates acne and psoriasis trains, reduces wrinkles, alleviates respiratory ailments and helps improve measles and glaucoma conditions.

Procedures within the body

Retinol, which is a byproduct of vitamin A, is responsible for assisting the eyes conform to dark surroundingses easily. Therefore, unconstipated consumption of vitamin A can assist to prevent a circumstance known as ‘night blindness. Retinol acids assist regulate genetical circumstances and expressions within the body and an adequate to intake of vitamin A assists preserve the physiologic characteristics of cells in the body. Vitamin A is also an efficient agent against any transmissions as it helps to strengthen the mucous linings, skin, urinary tract and digestive tract, so forming the primary defences against almost infections. Whilst vitamin A may be needed for proper growth and development in the body, too little or too much of this vitamin can cause defects in a foetus. Red blood corpuscles originate from stem cells, which depend on vitamin A to become blood cells. Vitamin A is also responsible for mobilizing iron to incorporate it into the form of hemoglobin.

Deficiency conditions

As vitamin A is required for maintaining eyesight and resistance, a deficiency can cause impaired vision and increased relative incidence of diseases in the body. Night blindness is one of the foremost conditions caused by a lack of this vitamin. When the deficiency is less, it manifests itself as a slight modification on conjunctive tissue of the eye. These are Bitot’s spots. In cases where the deficiency has reached more severe proportions, it can cause dryness of the eyes and finally result in ulcers on the cornea, scarring and at last blindness in the person.

Deficiency Symptoms in Adults and Infants

Vitamin A is responsible the healthy development of bones and tissues in children. Hence, a reduced level of this vitamin can result in retarding growth in a child. Therefore, the child could develop a growth defect and even dwarfism which is where the body parts fail to grow normally and assume a stunted appearance. Often the face will assume a mongoloid appearance and the facial bones will not develop fully resulting in a distorted facial appearance.

In adults as well as children, a deficiency of vitamin A can cause conditions like night blindness, inflammation in the eyes, inability to see properly at night, dryness of eyes, inflammation in the cornea etc. In addition to conditions associated with the eyes, a person can experience roughness of the skin, dryness and increased presence of wrinkles. Children with insufficient vitamin A are more prone to respiratory ailments as well as urinary tract infections. This can also manifest itself in adults who do not have sufficient vitamin A in their bodies.

Recommended daily amounts for each age group

The amounts of vitamin A needed depend upon the individuals age group and gender. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need a higher absorption of vitamin A in their diets. Here is a break down of the recommended dosages of this vitamin:

. Male and female infants of age below 6 months of age need 400 mg per day of vitamin A
. Infants (both male and female) aged between 7 and 12 months need 500 mg per day
. Kids from 1 to 3 years of age need 300 mg of vitamin A daily
. Children aged between 4 and 8 years require 400 mg vitamin A per day
. Children aged from 9 to 13 years need 600 mg vitamin A every day
. Adolescents aged from 14 to 18 years require 900 mg of vitamin A per day
. Adults aged more than 19 years require 900 mg of vitamin A each day
. Pregnant women who are aged below 18 years need 750 mg of vitamin A each day
. Pregnant women aged above 19 years need 770 mg of vitamin A per day
. Women who breast-feed and are aged below 18 years require 1200 mg in a day of vitamin A
. Women who breast-feed and are aged above 19 years require 1200 mg in a day of vitamin A