Vitamin A: Health Benefits and Side Effects
Modified on Mar 21, 2014
A variety of organic compounds fit within the blanket term “vitamin A.” Among those compounds are retinol, retinal, and beta carotene. In any form, however, vitamin A is crucial to health and can be used as an effective treatment supplement to prevent and treat a variety of conditions.
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is one of many fat-soluble vitamins. The nutrient is naturally present in a variety of foods but can also be found as a supplement.
Essentially, vitamin A is present in two different forms. Preformed vitamin A is the nutrient typically found in meat, fish, poultry, and dairy that the body readily uses. The second type of vitamin A is known as provitamin. This form is actually present in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products and is typically manifested as beta carotene. The body uses this substance to create the vitamin A that it needs.
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