Vitamin A is a bright yellow compound with a crystal form that is also known as retinol. It’s called retinol because of its relationship with the function of the eye retina. Vitamin A is also called an anti-infectious vitamin because of its application in helping your immune system be stronger. Retinol is found in meat, while fruit and vegetables are known to have carotenoids, which also have Vitamin A activity, which means they can be turned into retinal. The human body has the ability to turn alpha beta and gamma carotenoids into Vitamin A and these carotenoids are called pro vitamin A.

The basic functions of Vitamin A are related to:

• Help the eyes. The human eye retina has four types of pigments that contain Vitamin A. One of these pigments is found in the eye retina cells and this pigment allows the cells to find even the smallest amounts of light. By doing this, Vitamin A allows your eyes to adjust to different levels of light like for example you can start seeing better during the night time.

• Maintain the immune system. Vitamin A stimulates the immune system by increasing the growth and preventing the stress induced bending of the thymus gland. Vitamin A also improves the function of the white blood cells with anti-virus activity.

• Cell growth. Having the right amount of Vitamin A is necessary for your body to maintain the normal level of cell growth and development.

• Other functions. Vitamin A is important for the reproductive processes for men and women and it’s also important for maintaining a normal bone metabolism. Some research points that Vitamin A in the form of retinal acid takes a vital part in regulating genetic events.
Vitamin A deficiency can affect the health of your skin, hair, eyes and immune system and also lead to loss of appetite, bone anomalies and growth reduction. At the same time, it’s important not to take too much if this vitamin because it can have some temporary bad effects on your body. If you have huge amounts of Vitamin A in your system, it can lead to loss of appetite, irritation, fatigue, and vomiting.

Vitamin A is dissolved in fat and this means that vitamin A deficiency can be caused by a diet that does not have fat in it. Another possible reason for vitamin A deficiency is some diseases that lead to a reduction of the capability to process fat in your organism. Vitamin A can also help prevent and treat conditions such as acne, osteoporosis, diabetes, bad sight, ulcers, virus infections and others. Vitamin A can be found in some vegetables and fruits like for example broccoli, spinach, carrots, and if you are not a big vegetable fan you can also get it from milk, cheese, and eggs.

Having enough Vitamin A in your system is very important because it can really help your immune system and maintain the levels of cell growth in your body. Besides helping your immune system, it also helps your eye retinas so by now you should understand why you need to get your daily share of Vitamin A.

Author's Bio: 

It is very important to make a list with all the vitamins (interesting to know is that the Danish term is Liste over vitaminer) you need and make sure they are included in your daily diet.