Vitamin A is important for cell reproduction and eyesight, as well as other areas of your body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin which means your body stores the excess in your fat cells. Too much vitamin A, however, can cause serious risks to your health. To avoid exceeding the recommended daily allowance of this vitamin, talk to your doctor about vitamin A intake and discuss supplement use.
Toxicity
Men older than 19 years of age need 3,000 IU of vitamin A each day, and women over this age need 2,333 IU, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The tolerable upper limit for this vitamin has been established at 10,000 IU a day. If you take more than this, you run the risk of developing vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A, which occurs when too much vitamin A is built up in your body. The symptoms of this include blurred vision, bone pain, dizziness, headaches, liver damage, hair loss, oily or itchy skin and vomiting. If left untreated, this toxicity may result in liver failure or even death. Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Birth Defects
The University of Maryland Medical Center says that pregnant females need 2,567 IU of vitamin A each day. If you consume too much of it while you are pregnant, this can result in birth defects such as malformations in your baby's central nervous system. Almost all prenatal vitamins contain vitamin A, as it is essential for your baby's development. But if you take other supplements in addition to prenatal vitamins, you may be getting too much vitamin A. Furthermore, synthetic vitamin A, even in normal doses, can cause birth defects as well and should be avoided by those who are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about your vitamin A intake to avoid harming your fetus.
Other Dangers
Vitamin A can increase your triglycerides, especially if you smoke or have smoked in the past. It may also heighten your risk of dying from heart disease. If you have liver disease or consume large amounts of alcohol, taking vitamin A supplements can put you at risk for developing a toxicity and its accompanying symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. This vitamin may also interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics and those used to lower high cholesterol. Always tell your doctor about any medications you consume and inform him about your lifestyle choices to avoid potential complications from vitamin A.
Additional Considerations
While vitamin A has its risks, it is also imperative for your health. Without it, you may not grow properly or have a strong immune system; if you become deficient in it, this can lead to problems such as night blindness and diarrhea. Butter, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, fish liver oils, apricots and mangoes are rich sources of vitamin A; you may not need to take supplements if your diet regularly includes these and other food sources of the vitamin. If you are concerned about your vitamin A intake, discuss this with your health care provider.
Member Comments