Vitamin A is essential for the health of your eyes and skin, as well as to maintain a healthy immune system and to help speed up wound healing and prevent infections. Good sources of vitamin A include animal products such as oily fish, red and yellow vegetables and liver. Most people obtain enough vitamin A from their diet, because the daily requirements are quite small.
Who's At Risk
According to licensed naturopathic physician Wendy Hodsdon, children are more at risk of vitamin A toxicity than adults. Too much vitamin A is also dangerous for pregnant women or women who plan on becoming pregnant soon. The recommended daily dosage for adults is 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for men. Taking dosages higher than 3,000 mcg on a regular basis can cause problems.
Vitamin A vs. Beta Carotene
Beta carotene is less harmful to the body than vitamin A. This is because only about 30 percent of the beta carotene you consume is actually absorbed. If you take a multivitamin, choosing one that contains beta carotene is better than choosing one with vitamin A, unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Vitamin A is stored in the liver, so taking very high dosages and then stopping doesn't necessarily solve the problem. If the amount accumulated in the liver gets too high, you might still experience problems.
Bone Problems
If you take very high dosages of vitamin A over a long period of time, you might experience bone density problems. In women, high dosages of vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis. The risk of high vitamin A intake is worse if you're not getting enough vitamin D on a daily basis. This is because vitamin D is essential for bone strength and to prevent fractures and "soft" bones. Bone pain or swelling are also possible.
Other Symptoms
Too much vitamin A or vitamin A hypervitaminosis can result in blurred vision, loss of appetite, headaches, drowsiness and nausea. High intakes of vitamin A can also cause hair loss and yellowing of the skin. If the overdose continues for a long time, it can lead to liver damage.
Member Comments