Vitamin A
Different compounds fall under the category of vitamin A, for example Retinal and Retinol. These are also known as performed vitamin A. Retinal is an aldehyde, whereas Retinol is an alcohol. Studies suggest that Retinal plays an important role in gene transcription. Trucker?s Complete Nutrition is an excellent source of vitamin A. Each serving offers 10,000 IU of vitamin A.
Vitamin A Benefits
Vitamin A is very important for immune system of the human body. Skin, lining the digestive and urinary tracks, contains Retinol. This lining restricts the entrance of various infectious microbes and other harmful materials. Retinoic acid and vitamin A are also essential for the formation of white blood cells, which are very important for fighting different infectious materials, hence strengthening the immune system. Red blood cells help in absorption of oxygen. These cells are formed from the stem cells which themselves are formed by the help of retinoids. Different studies suggest that Vitamin A is helpful in reducing growth of cancer in different parts of human body for example liver, breast, colon and skin.
Retinoic Acid, a special form of Vitamin A, plays an important role in the structure of human genes. It can also influence transcription rate of the gene, which can effect formation of other proteins formed in human body. Retinoic Acid is also very important for cellular differentiation. Therefore vitamin A plays a key role in growth of human body. Retinoic acid and Retinol are helpful in development of embryo.
Vitamin A is very important for human sight. After complex chemical reactions, Retinol gets binds with a protein called opsin to form Rhodopsin. Rod cells, which are inside human eye, contain Rhodopsin which aids viewing in low light conditions.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Deficiency of Vitamin A can weaken the immune system, hence making human body prone to infections. Its deficiency may also lead to respiratory problems. Acute deficiency of Vitamin A in children may lead to night blindness. Mild deficiency of vitamin A may cause dryness of skin and eyes and Bitot's spots.
Viatmin A Interaction with drugs
Several studies suggest that combination of vitamin A, along with other drugs may lead to serious consequences. Medicines that must not be used with vitamin A include weight loss and cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood thinning products, birth control medications. Antacids and alcohol should also be avoided along with the use of Vitamin A. It is therefore recommended that while using vitamin A supplements you should first consult your healthcare provider.
Vitamin A Dietary Sources and Supplementation
Vitamin A can be found naturally in vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach etc. Egg yolk, fish-liver oil, milk, cheese and butter are also good natural sources for the vitamin. Vitamin A is required by human body only in minute amounts, its excess may cause headaches and skin rashes.
In many cases such as unbalanced diet or certain diseases loss of Vitamin A can occur. Supplements like Trucker?s Complete Nutrition can serve as an artificial alternative for Vitamin A. The supplement contains the right amount of vitamin A to satisfy your daily needs.
