In this article I will tell you which vitamin A is best to buy, what it is for and what it affects.
Vitamin A or retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for our body. It is responsible for eye health, participates in protein processes, and helps the immune system. Let’s take a closer look at its functions:
- Improves vision;
- Has antioxidant properties;
- Regenerates skin cells;
- Participates in the development of lymphocytes;
- Strengthens the immune system;
- Improves reproductive function;
- It participates in the development of the fetus in the womb.
As we can see, vitamin A is involved in many processes in the body and its deficiency can have a negative impact on our health.
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms
- Dry eyes;
- Dry skin;
- Long wound healing time;
- Acne;
- Slow growth of the child;
- Broken nails.
Vitamin A deficiency can be determined in the laboratory by taking a blood test. Based on the figures, the doctor will prescribe the correct dose. In just one month of taking retinol, you can eliminate all of the above symptoms. But it is important to control the level and not to allow a surplus. Because an overabundance of vitamin A can lead to nausea, liver enlargement, yellowing of the skin and joint pain. For example, there were cases when participants of an expedition to the North received a severe overabundance of vitamin A by eating the liver of a polar bear. Retinol content in it is record-breaking – more than a million units per 100 grams. And humans can absorb 10,000 units a day. This amount caused people who ate the liver to have skin all over their body and to vomit profusely. Some of them even died.
Foods high in vitamin A
- Cod liver;
- Beef liver;
- Red caviar;
- Black caviar;
- Chicken and quail eggs;
- Cheese and butter;
- Carrots;
- Parsley;
- Spinach;
- Avocado;
- Sea buckthorn.
So, for example, one carrot can extinguish the daily norm of vitamin A for a person, because it contains beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A. Only take carrots necessarily with a little fat, because retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin. For its good absorption, you need bile, which breaks down fatty acids and helps to take all the vitamins from the food. And remember that our body cannot make vitamin A on its own, it only gets it from outside. Therefore, it is important to eat the foods from the list above every day, but if this is not possible, you can take special supplements.
The best vitamin A supplements on iHerb
Mason Natural, vitamin A from fish liver fat
The product from Mason Natural has a remarkable composition. One capsule contains 3000 mcg of RAE from fish liver fat and retinyl palmitate. This is very good, since vitamin A in this form is very well absorbed by the body. The supplement contains a safe dose that smoothly raises retinol levels. You should take one capsule once a day necessarily with a fatty meal. And preferably also with bitters, such as rucola. This is to ensure that the bile is better secreted and breaks down all the fats. The price is only $4.65 for 100 capsules. Excellent value for money. Be sure to use an iherb promo.code DMU6301 to lower the price of this product.
Solgar, Cod Liver Oil
Solgar brand cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D. Here’s the full composition:
| Serving Size: 1 Softgel | Amount Per Serving | %DV |
| Vitamin A | 375 mcg | 42% |
| Vitamin D | 3.4 mcg (135 IU) | 17% |
It is great that vitamin D is present. Of course, its dosage won’t help cover the deficiency, but its presence helps retinol be absorbed better.
The oil in the capsules has been purified from impurities by molecular distillation. It can be taken by both adults and children.
This product will help get rid of dry eyes and skin, strengthen the immune system.
The price of $ 16 for 250 capsules. Take 3 times a day, one at a time with a meal.
Kirkman Labs, Micellar Vitamin A
What makes this vitamin A different is that it comes in liquid form. It’s a great option for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Kirkman Labs assures customers that the product has been ultra-tested and tested for more than 950 contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, yeast, mold, and pesticides. Ingredients include:
| Each Serving Contains | Amount Per Serving | %Daily Value* |
| Vitamin A (Palmitate with 25 IU as Beta Carotene) | 5025 IU | 100% |
| Vitamin E (soy free dl alpha tocopheryl acetate) | 0.2 IU | 0.66% |
Vitamin E here acts as an antioxidant to preserve the effectiveness of vitamin A. By taking retinol from this brand, you can easily close the deficit of this vitamin because it is here in a highly digestible form.
The price is $20 for 600 servings. Keep in mind that one drop contains the daily allowance of vitamin A, you can not exceed the dose. After a month of taking it, you should take some tests. If they came back to normal, then stop taking the drug. And do not forget that vitamin A should not be taken by pregnant, lactating women.