What is the body's need for Vitamin A?

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist II, Senior Doctor Doan Du Dat - General Internal Medicine Doctor - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital

Vitamin A is an important and necessary micronutrient for the body. Depending on age, different subjects, the body's need for vitamin A will be different.

Vitamin A plays an important role in the growth process, helping the body to develop normally. In addition, vitamin A also has the following important roles:
Participates in the visual function of the eye, that is, the ability to see in low light conditions. When vitamin A deficiency, the ability of the eyes to see in low light will be reduced, this phenomenon often appears at dusk, so it is called "night blindness". Protect the integrity of the cornea and epithelial tissues under the skin, trachea, salivary glands, small intestine, testes... When vitamin A deficiency, production of mucous membranes decreases, skin becomes dry and appears keratinization, this manifestation is often seen in the eyes, at first, the conjunctiva is dry and then the cornea is damaged, the epithelial cells are damaged along with a decrease in resistance, creating conditions for bacteria to invade. Participating in the body's immune response processes, increasing the body's resistance to disease. If vitamin A deficiency, children are more susceptible to infections and longer duration of illness, higher risk of death.

Attention should be paid when taking vitamin A:
Hepatotoxicity: High doses of vitamin A are directly toxic to the liver because excess vitamin A is stored in stellate cells in the liver. Accumulation of vitamin A can lead to liver activation and enlargement, excess collagen production, fibrosis, and liver damage. Liver diseases caused by excess vitamin A are usually liver swelling, cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Teratogenicity: Vitamin A, when used during pregnancy, is helpful in cell differentiation and is an essential nutrient for the development of the baby, but too much vitamin A can be harmful. There are many studies that have shown, if the mother consumes too much vitamin A during the first months of pregnancy, it can cause serious birth defects in the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to use vitamin A rationally and as prescribed by a doctor.

Depending on the age and stage, the amount of Vitamin A needed to load into the body is different. The average amount of vitamin A you need to consume per day is 1 mg.

Vitamin A requirements for pregnant and lactating mothers:
Women during pregnancy need 800 mcg/day. Breastfeeding women need 850 mcg/day. Depending on gender, age and stage, our bodies need different amounts of Vitamin A. Eggs, fish, meat, liver, oval, shrimp... are foods with high vitamin A content, which can be added to the daily nutritional menu.