If you are asking why do you need vitamin A,
first you should know that vitamin A is an essential, fat-soluble
vitamin that has many diverse benefits for your body: it promotes
eyesight and helps you see in the dark; it aids in the differentiation
of cells of the skin (lining the outside of the body) and mucous
membranes (linings inside of the body); it helps the body fight off
infection and sustain the immune system; and, it supports growth and
remodeling of bone.
In addition, dietary vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene (an
antioxidant), may help reduce your risk for certain cancers. Vitamin A
deficiency can lead to night blindness and xerophthalmia; it can also
reduce the health and integrity of skin and other epithelial tissues. To
know how much vitamin A you need
per day, be aware that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for
vitamin A is 2330IU for adult women and 3000IU for adult men. Above
10000IU intake of vitamin A is considered to be very toxic.
Usually consuming natural foods like fruits and vegetables would not
lead to toxicity as the amount in them is not too high. Some good
sources of vitamin A are liver, fortified milk and cheese, orange/yellow
vegetables and vegetables like carrots, cantaloupes, and apricot.
You may also want to ask if you need vitamin supplements.
It is better for a healthy person to obtain vitamins through whole
foods instead of vitamin supplements. Whole foods have nutrient
combinations that cannot be copied in supplement form. Eat a variety of
fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, meat and beans. Vitamin supplements
are recommended for you if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying to
become pregnant, are a vegan or vegetarian, have heavy periods or are
postmenopausal.
Supplements are also recommended for prevention of specific diseases.
But do not take vitamin supplements without the advice of a doctor. To
sum up, take your daily needs of vitamin A, but don’t get too much, and
go easy with the vitamin supplements.