As a woman, your body uses vitamin A to keep your vision, immune system and red blood cell production in check. Maintaining a healthy diet full of vitamin A-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, fruit and dairy products can help you get enough of this nutrient each day. If you have questions about how much vitamin A you need to consume on a daily basis, consult your primary medical provider.
Healthy Women
Healthy women should consume 700 mcg of vitamin A each day, which is equivalent to 2,310 IU, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. You can fulfill your dietary requirement for vitamin A by eating just 1 cup of raw spinach; this single serving of spinach provides 2,813 IU of vitamin A. If you have trouble getting enough vitamin A from your diet, talk with your physician about adding a vitamin A supplement to your daily regimen.
Pregnant Women
Your nutritional needs change when you are pregnant because your body requires more nutrients to support your developing baby. While pregnant, expectant mothers should consume 770 mcg or 2,565 IU of vitamin A each day. Though vitamin A supplements may be safe during pregnancy, always consult your doctor before beginning to take a new dietary supplement.
Lactating Women
During lactation, a woman basically needs to double the amount of vitamin A she normally consumes. In fact, women who breastfeed need to get 1,300 mcg or 4,300 IU of vitamin A on a daily basis. This increase in vitamin A is necessary because nursing mothers pass this nutrient to their baby through breast milk. In the absence of appropriate vitamin A consumption, additional health complications may arise.
Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin A deficiency may occur if you don't get an adequate amount of vitamin A as part of your daily diet. Low blood levels of this nutrient may cause vision changes, such as night blindness, and may negatively impact your body's ability to protect itself against infection. Women who have low vitamin A levels during pregnancy or lactation may be unable to supply their developing infant with enough of this crucial nutrient. Consequently, a developing fetus or baby may be blind or more susceptible to infections or disease. A pregnant woman and her baby are also at an increased risk of death if the mother's vitamin A levels are too low.
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