Vitamin A

What It Is

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes from two sources: retinoids, which are derived from animal sources like liver, eggs and dairy.  Then there are the provitamin carotenoids like beta-carotene, which have the highest vitamin A activity. Carotenoids come from plant sources like carrots and dark or yellow vegetables.

What It Does

Everyone needs Vitamin A for healthy eyes, skin and bones. It can also be helpful for hormone synthesis problems, skin disorders and strengthening the immune system.

Especially of interest to diabetics is that a major biologic function of vitamin A is in the visual cycle. Vitamin A deficiency can occur after a chronic lack of adequate amounts of vitamin A or beta-carotene. An early sign of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. Prolonged deficiency may lead to dry eye and eventually, blindness can occur because of damage to the retina and cornea.

At recommended doses, vitamin A is generally considered non-toxic, however, excess dosing may lead to acute or chronic toxicity.

Vitamin A is just one of 22 ingredients in the Vita-Betic™ blend multi-vitamin, mineral and herb supplement, formulated to meet the dietary needs of diabetics. Click here for more information on the Vita-Betic formula, or click here for information how to receive FREE vitamins.