Are You Getting Enough Vitamin A?
Unless you’ve been studying nutrition for some time, you may not be aware of the health benefits associated with Vitamin A. For most of us, advertisements about Vitamin C and D are far more common. We’re here to tell you all about Vitamin A and why it is such an important part of your diet, as well as give you a few tips and hints for how to increase your Vitamin A intake to protect your body.
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in a wide range of foods including both animal and plant based foods. Interestingly, the Vitamin A that we receive from animal products and plant products is actually processed differently within our body, making it even more important to understand how it impacts our diet and health. It is most commonly found in liver, dairy products and fish products, as well as a huge range of red, orange, and yellow vegetables. Vitamin A supplements can also be purchased.
What Does Vitamin A Do?
Vitamin A plays an important role in many of our vital bodily functions. It is best known for its role in protecting our vision, and people who have a Vitamin A deficiency can experience rapid onset of night blindness or accelerated aging of the eyes. Vitamin A is also crucial for keeping your white blood cell count up, and building your body’s natural defensive barriers against illness. Research also shows that this vitamin helps keep your skin healthy, and can reduce acne breakouts, among other things. It works with Vitamin D and calcium inside your bones to improve bone health overall and encourage healthy growth.
Are You Getting Enough?
The real question is whether or not you are intaking in enough Vitamin A to stay healthy. For men over the age of 19, the recommended daily intake is around 900 mcg, while women should aim for about 700 mcg daily, unless pregnant or breastfeeding, which can require extra supplementation. You should try to get your Vitamin A from a variety of different sources. It is recommended that you not exceed 3000 mcg daily, however there is no limit for how much Vitamin A your body can take in from plant sources because it is processed differently than Vitamin A from animal sources. Basically, if you are hitting your recommended daily value, you can feel free to eat as many fruits and veggies as you like, but watch out for supplements or animal based products that might push you over the limit.
Here at Lean Lifestyle, we know that keeping a balanced diet can be a headache. Nobody wants to spend their days reading nutritional labels and putting numbers into trackers. That’s why we’ve created the Lifestyle Plan for simple eating and healthy living. Check it out today to learn more about eating well in less time.
