Vitamin A is not an antioxidant, but its precursor, beta-carotene, is.
Vitamin A is used with zinc in the treatment of dry and scaly skin, night blindness, broken fingernails, lifeless hair, reduced sense of smell and taste, impaired hearing, indigestion with reduced intestinal fat absorption, malnutrition, and cancer. Vitamin A increases the oxygen concentration in the cells.
We have deposits of vitamin A in the liver and in fat tissue which can be released if there is deficiency, but this requires that we intake enough zinc. If we lack zinc we do not benefit optimally from the effects of vitamin A.
The livers of fish and other animals have high levels of vitamin A. Other natural sources of vitamin A are butter, cheese, and eggs. It is also found in vegetables; for example in bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, spinach, and tomatoes. Fruit containing vitamin A include melons, bananas, and oranges.
Dosage
- Generally: 5,000 I.U.
- Therapeutically: 20,000 I.U. – in some cases higher
- Pregnant: 5,000 – 7,00 I.U.
- Acute viral infection: 50,000 I.U (but only for 1-2 days)
Warning
Vitamin A used in doses from 25,000-50,000 I.U. as a single therapy for several months can in some cases cause hepatitis. Therefore, one should not take large isolated doses of vitamin A for a periods of time.
Conversion
One international unit (I.U.) = 0.3 micrograms retinol
Also see "Betacarotene".
