What is Vitamin A?
For our bodies to operate correctly, certain chemicals are required. Organic chemicals known as vitamins are typically added to diets as supplements since the body cannot make them on its own. Vitamins are essential for bodily processes including cell growth and function. One of the most crucial vitamins, vitamin A is needed by the body.
The two primary sources of vitamin A in the human diet are retinol and retinyl esters, which are formed versions of the vitamin, and pro-vitamin A carotenoids like beta-carotene, which is transformed into retinol. Animal products, foods with added vitamin A, and dietary supplements all contain preformed vitamin A. Plant diets naturally contain carotenoids. Other carotenoids, such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are present in the diet but do not convert to vitamin A despite having beneficial effects on health. Although taking enough vitamin A won’t erase your dependency on contact lenses or provide you with superhuman night vision, it will promote eye health.
Additionally, vitamin A promotes the development and activity of white blood cells, participates in bone remodelling, aids in the maintenance of healthy endothelium cells, which line the internal surfaces of the body, and controls cell growth and division, including that required for reproduction.
Effects of Vitamin A deficiency
People who lack sufficient vitamin A in regular diets may suffer from a vitamin A deficit. Additionally, it affects those who suffer from ailments that impair vitamin absorption in the body, such as certain liver diseases.
Many individuals do not consume enough vitamin A in poor nations across the world. The most vulnerable groups are infants, kids, and women who are pregnant or nursing. The most common cause of blindness in children worldwide is vitamin A deficiency. Globally, vitamin A deficiency causes between 250,000 and 500,000 children to go blind each year.
Vitamin A consumption
RDA: For individuals aged 19 and older, the recommended daily allowance is 700 mcg RAE for women and 900 mcg RAE for males.
The highest daily consumption that is not anticipated to harm health is known as the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The UL for preformed vitamin A derived from retinol is 3,000 micrograms.
Vitamin A can be consumed through multiple animal and plant food sources. To learn more, here are 7 vitamin A fortified foods.
The amount of vitamin required differs from person to person due to our different genetic compositions. It is recommended to take a DNA test to verify how much Vitamin A your body might need.
How can a DNA test help?
With the help of MyPreciseDNA’s extensive nutritional characteristics and categories, you may better understand what your body requires. Everybody is different, therefore balancing your diet to meet your needs is not a simple process. Having a tailored diet centred around your requirements is important to ensure proper consumption of healthy nutrients such as vitamins. The DNA test does not only include nutritional traits, but it also provides you with a report for 129 traits and 15 categories ranging from your physical health to your mental health making it a great resource for you to stay healthy and keep track. There are many reasons for getting a DNA test, but knowing your Vitamin A requirement is the tip of the iceberg.
Learn more about how our DNA test can help you. It’s considered the most advanced DNA test in Malaysia that we can provide, so we’d like to offer you our premium DNA test. You can take advantage of this offer and reap the benefits of getting a DNA test.