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An initial search on "vitamin A" yielded a deluge of results, most of which were commercial categories or sites hawking vitamins and related products. We generally prefer non-commercial information, so we turned our focus to web page results instead. While sifting through the results, we learned that vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver, was identified in 1913 as essential for growth. The first of the 13 vitamins to be discoverd, it plays a vital role in the growth and repair of body tissues, and is particularly important in maintaining good eyesight and healthy skin, as well as aiding in bone and teeth formation. Recent research suggests that it may also
function as an anti-oxidant. Alcohol, coffee, or excessive iron can all deplete your body's supply of this essential vitamin -- bad news. But the good news is that vitamin A is readily available from numerous food sources. It can be obtained from food in two different forms -- pre-formed vitamin A (called retinol or retinal), found in animal sources, and pro-vitamin A (beta carotene), from plant sources. Thrive Online, part of the Oxygen.com network of sites, provided a comprehensive answer to your question in their Vitamin and Mineral Guide, which lists the following as the top ten vitamin A-rich foods: - liver
- sweet
potatos
- carrots
- mangoes
- spinach
- cantaloupe
- dried apricots
- milk
- egg yolks
- mozzarella cheese
The site also offers some tasty recipes sure to increase your vitamin-A intake. A word of caution: Too much vitamin A, either from animal sources or supplements, can prove toxic and is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Excess beta carotene, on the other hand, isn't toxic but can lend you a decidedly orange hue.
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