Like women, men need vitamin A to support healthy bone and cell growth, eye and skin health and immune system activity. Men who don't get enough of this nutrient may experience vision, skin and growth problems. If you're not sure how much vitamin A you need each day, seek additional guidance from your medical provider.
Recommended Dosage
Each day, men should get 900 mcg of vitamin A, which is equivalent to 3,000 international units or IU. Avoid taking more than 3,000 mcg or 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily, or you may be at risk of developing vitamin A overdose symptoms -- a condition also called hypervitaminosis A.
Sources
Vitamin A occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including carrots, spinach, kale, cantaloupe, milk, cheese, beef and chicken. One raw carrot contains 8,666 IU of vitamin A. If your diet lacks vitamin A-rich foods, your doctor may recommend taking a vitamin A supplement, which is available over-the-counter in liquid, tablet, capsule and softgel form. Men shouldn't take vitamin A supplements unless such treatment is recommended by a medical professional.
Safety Issues
Prolonged treatment with vitamin A supplements may cause mild adverse side effects. You may experience stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, mood or mental changes, irritability and fatigue. Although these side effects are usually temporary, seek care from your doctor if they persist or become severe.
Medication Interactions
Treatment with vitamin A supplements may not be appropriate if you're taking certain medications. Avoid using vitamin A supplements with retinoids, a type of treatment used for some skin conditions, such as acne. Combining these drugs may increase your risk of experiencing vitamin A overdose symptoms. This type of vitamin supplement may also increase your risk of bleeding or bruising complications if used in conjunction with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin. Other medications to avoid while taking vitamin A supplements include tetracycline antibiotics and medications metabolized by your liver, such as acetaminophen, erythromycin and fluconazole.
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