Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin A helps in vision, bone growth, reproduction, growth of epithelium (cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body), and fighting infections. It is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils). Vitamin A is found in liver, egg yolks, and whole milk dairy products from animals and in fish oils. It can also be made in the body from a substance found in some fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupes, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin A is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called retinol.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is required for a number of bodily functions. This vitamin is needed to maintain good vision and a healthy immune system, as well as being essential for growth and development.

Vitamin A History

Vitamin A Food Sources

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A Toxicity

Vitamin A Functions

Latest Vitamin A News and Research

Roscovitine enhances nuclear enrichment of traditionally cytoplasmic signaling molecules

Oncotarget Volume 11, Issue 12 reported that using the HL-60 human non-APL AML model where ATRA causes nuclear enrichment of c-Raf that drives differentiation/G0-arrest, the research team now observe that roscovitine enhanced nuclear enrichment of certain traditionally cytoplasmic signaling molecules and enhanced differentiation and cell cycle arrest.

26 Mar 2020

Eating an egg a day is OK

A new study and meta-analysis released by the Harvard T. H. Chan of Public Health shows that it is safe to eat up to 1 egg a day without worrying about whether it is harming the health of the heart and blood vessels. The study was published online on March 4, 2020, in the journal BMJ.

4 Mar 2020

Light-activated protein restores mitochondrion function in fruit fly model of Parkinson’s disease

A light-sensitive protein can restore mitochondria function in fruit flies bearing a gene mutation associated with Parkinson’s disease and relieve its symptoms, report researchers at Juntendo University in the journal Communications Biology.

13 Feb 2020

Study finds no clear path for Golden Rice to reach people at risk of vitamin A deficiency

Heralded as a genetically modified crop with the potential to save millions of lives, Golden Rice has just been approved as safe for human and animal consumption by regulators in the Philippines.

9 Feb 2020

Researchers identify liver fibrosis ‘off switch’ in mice

Chronic alcohol abuse and hepatitis can injure the liver, often leading to a buildup of collagen and scar tissue.

23 Jan 2020

Top NHS doctor warns of “exploitative” party drips claiming to cure hangovers

NHS England's medical director has warned people against drips being endorsed by celebrities as hangover cures.

2 Jan 2020

Gulf war illness – one or two diseases?

A study of veterans who have Gulf war syndrome shows that moderate exercise can bring about a spectrum of brain imaging abnormalities, which fall into one of two groups. This could mean that this is a more complicated illness than was first thought. The study was published on December 12, 2019, in the journal Brain Communications.

12 Dec 2019

Research shows link between clock genes and vitamin A pathway in the brain of Monarch butterflies

Biologists at Texas A&M University are making strides in understanding biological clock function in several model organisms and translating these studies into broader implications for human health.

6 Dec 2019

Preclinical data on new drug combination to treat neuroblastoma published

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer outside of the brain in infants and young children and often fails to respond to therapy. Though it can appear in several areas of the body, it commonly develops as a solid tumor most frequently found in or adjacent to the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys.

10 Nov 2019

Skin cancer risk falls with higher dietary vitamin A intake

A new study from Brown University shows that the dietary intake of vitamin A from plant sources is associated with a lower risk of a common type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. This is the second most common carcinoma of the skin in fair-skinned people.

1 Aug 2019

High levels of vitamin A linked to reduced skin cancer risk

People whose diets included high levels of vitamin A had a 17 percent reduction in risk for getting the second-most-common type of skin cancer, as compared to those who ate modest amounts of foods and supplements rich in vitamin A.

31 Jul 2019

Dietary vitamin A may protect against common skin cancer

Increasing the intake of dietary vitamin A may reduce the risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a new study.

31 Jul 2019

Check with your doctor before putting your child on a vegan diet, say experts

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has released new guidelines on toddler nutrition in response to an increasing number of children being raised vegan.

29 Jul 2019

Why cilantro (coriander) is good for your health

Scientists have uncovered the molecular action through which the herb cilantro delays the onset of certain seizures in epilepsy and other diseases.

25 Jul 2019

Review provides new recommendations to manage menopausal symptoms after breast cancer

A large proportion of the world's estimated 9.3 million breast cancer survivors experience menopausal symptoms or clinical manifestations of estrogen deficiency.

10 Jul 2019

Nutritional supplements offer no protection against cardiovascular diseases, say researchers

A new study warns that most dietary supplements do nothing to protect against cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and even heart attack.

9 Jul 2019

Protein found in the eye can protect against diabetic retinopathy

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have shown that a protein found in the eye can protect against and potentially treat diabetic eye disease.

4 Jul 2019

Adequate consumption of milk and dairy products can help prevent chronic diseases

An adequate consumption of milk and dairy products at different life stages can help prevent various chronic diseases.

3 Jul 2019

Fighting hidden hunger with promising new approach

After a prolonged decline, global hunger is on the rise--affecting more than 820 million individuals in 2017. Additionally, more than 2 billion people suffer from "hidden hunger," which occurs when individuals eat foods that don't provide the nutrients they need to lead healthy, productive lives.

23 Jun 2019

Poor sleep linked to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals

A new study suggests that sleep quality may be linked to a lack of essential vitamins in the diet, with the strongest association being seen in women.

10 Jun 2019