Although it's found in plenty of foods, Vitamin A shortage is still possible.
Vitamin A is needed for new cell growth, healthy skin, hair, and tissues, and vision in dim light. It also helps to strengthen our immune system.
Fortunately Vitamin A is found in a number of food sources, chiefly:
- Dark green and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits:
- Broccoli,
- Spinach
- Turnip greens
- Carrots
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Cantaloupe
- Apricots
- Animal sources:
- Liver
- Milk
- Butter
- Cheese
- Fortified margarine
- Yoghurt
- Whole eggs
You'll also find it in many multivitamins, as well as other supplements, such as fish liver oil. Thus be aware that if you are taking supplements of this nature, as it is possible to get too much. Because it is a fat-soluble vitamin, you don't need to get it every day - any extra you consume is stored for future use.
Research suggests that having more than an average of 1.5mg per day long term can affect your bones, making them more likely to fracture when you're older - older women need to be particularly careful of this.
Getting this amount is actually quite easy if you eat liver or liver products such as p?t? - eaten just once a week you are likely to average 1.5mg per day.
Pregnant women or those thinking of having a baby should avoid eating liver or liver products such as p?t? because large amounts of this nutrient can harm your unborn baby.
