What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A (also called retinol or retinoic acid) is a nutrient that supports vision, immunity, cell division, and reproduction. Vitamin A’s antioxidant properties help protect your body against disease-causing free radicals.
Vitamin A Benefits
- Strengthens your immune system
- Stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells
- Reduces the risk of acne
- Promotes eye health
- Helps maintain healthy endothelial cells (the cells that form the inside lining of the body)
- Supports fetal development
- May lower your risk of certain cancers
- Regulates cell growth and division needed for reproduction
How much vitamin A do you need per day?
- Adult Women: 700 mcg
- Adult Men: 900 mcg
- Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women: 770 mcg
Natural sources of vitamin A
- Leafy green vegetables: kale, broccoli, spinach
- Orange and yellow vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin
- Egg yolks
- Tomatoes
- Red bell peppers
- Salmon
- Milk
- Fish oils
- Cantaloupe
- Mango
Learn about vitamin A deficiency symptoms.
Further reading: Harvard School of Public Health