Can Taking Vitamin A Benefit A Chest Cold?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that your body can store excess amounts of this vitamin in fat tissues for use as needed. This vitamin is well known for its role in preserving vision, particularly night vision. However, vitamin A may also offer benefits to help prevent and treat chest colds.

Immune System Enhancement

Vitamin A may help boost immune system function, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. It may encourage the production of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that identify and attack virus cells. The role of vitamin A in lymphocyte production may help control the spread of viruses that cause chest colds, which in turn may speed recovery. Vitamin A may also help maintain cell integrity of the mucous linings of your respiratory system, which provide defense against viral infection.

Antioxidant Protection

Antioxidants are substances that may help deprive free radical molecules of oxygen, which may prevent them from attacking the cells of your body. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant, according to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." This vitamin may help prevent free radical damage to your respiratory system that may worsen cold symptoms.

Cellular Repair

Vitamin A may encourage the repair of organ and tissue cells, according to Balch. This vitamin may help repair respiratory system damage caused by infection and coughing, speeding recovery from chest colds.

Sources

Vitamin A, in the form of retinyl palmitate, is primarily found in animal-based foods such as whole-milk dairy products, beef and chicken liver, eggs and fish liver oil, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Beta-carotene, a carotenoid your body uses to manufacture vitamin A, is found in plant foods such as carrots, kale, yams, spinach, winter squashes, mangoes and pumpkin. Beta-carotene, natural vitamin A and synthetic forms of vitamin A are also available in supplement form.

Considerations

The recommended daily intake of vitamin A is 900 mcg per day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Although healthy individuals may tolerate moderately higher doses, adults who consume more than 8,000 mcg of vitamin A per day may be at risk for toxicity, which can cause symptoms such as dry skin, appetite changes, nausea and fatigue. Meeting your vitamin A needs by consuming beta-carotene may decrease your risk of vitamin A toxicity.