Vitamin A

An essential anti-oxidant nutrient that plays an important role in the healthy functioning of many bodily systems. It is a fat soluble vitamin known by several names, one being Retinol…but it is usually found in supplements as Retinyl Palmitate.

Vitamin A is manufactured by extraction from fish-liver oil for supplements, but is ordinarily found in foods such as butter, cheese, cream, eggs, lamb, liver and milk. Vitamin A is also formed from pro-vitamin A (beta carotene) which is found in carrots, broccoli, spinach and other vegetables. Vitamin A is necessary for the growth and repair of every tissue in our bodies, and is even more important in maintaining the health of your eyes and skin. It helps fight infections in general and is essential for maintaining the mucous membrane that lines the stomach, intestines and sinuses.

Many people in the U.S. are deficient (sub-clinically) in this nutrient but are not even aware of it. Depleted stores in the body are usually prevalent in those who eat highly processed foods on a regular basis and use food grade oil that is also nutrient depleted. Since most fat soluble vitamins come from food and if these foods are nutrient depleted, then over time symptoms of depletion will begin to arise. Signs of deficiency may include: insomnia, depression, night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, fatigue, loss of smell and appetite, rough, dry, scaly skin, dull lusterless hair; brittle nails and inflamed membranes in the eyes, infections of the lungs and air passages.

Vitamin A can be destroyed by oxidation particularly in the presence of iron and copper, and by exposure to high temperatures and light. So unless you take great care in making sure you buy foods that are very fresh and have not been highly processed, you might want to consider buying a Vitamin A supplement. Over the long haul it is better to be safe than sorry.

This report prepared by the folks at Computer World, quietly helping companies, improve their online business, one website at the time.