When should vitamin A be taken?

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Vitamin A is an indispensable vitamin in human growth and development. The effects of vitamin A on the body, when to take it, let's find out through the article below.

1. What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A (3 - Dehydroretinol) is an oil-soluble vitamin, found in many foods such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, whole milk, butter, meat...
Vitamin A exists in two forms: vitamin A Formation and vitamin A precursors. Formed vitamin A is the active form of vitamin A (can be used immediately by the body without modification), including the substances retinol, retinal and retinoic acid. Vitamin A precursors are carotenoids (a group of yellow or orange chemicals found in plants, some of which are metabolized in the human body to produce the active form of vitamin A). including alpha - carotene, beta - carotene and beta - cryptoxanthin.
Humans can absorb vitamin A from food or from vitamin A supplements.

2. Uses of vitamin A for the human body

Vitamin A plays an extremely important role in the body, having effects on many different parts and functions. Vitamin A deficiency causes many problems such as:
Night blindness Increased risk of bacterial infections Dry skin Reproductive problems Growth retardation in children

3. Vitamin A is used in what cases?

Vitamin A can be used in many cases, such as:
Vitamin A deficiency: Vitamin A deficiency is quite common, and the treatment and prevention are very simple, just take vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A deficiency can occur in people who are malnourished, have diabetes, have cystic fibrosis,... Vitamin A-deficient children get measles: taking vitamin A supplements seems to lower the risk of death or the risk of complications. complications of measles. Oral leukoplakia: Studies have shown that taking vitamin A supplements can help treat oral leukoplakia. Reduce postpartum diarrhea: Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum in malnourished pregnant women helps to limit the occurrence of postpartum diarrhea. Reduce maternal mortality: Undernourished pregnant women who take vitamin A supplements before and during pregnancy reduce the mortality rate by 40%. Prevention of night blindness in pregnancy: Undernourished pregnant women taking vitamin A supplements will reduce the incidence of disease by 37%, and more effectively if taking vitamin A supplements with trace elements zinc. Eye disease affecting the retina: Taking vitamin A supplements may slow the progression of eye diseases that damage the retina. Cervical cancer: studies have shown that high doses of vitamin A can reduce the risk of cervical cancer. However, this benefit is only achieved when supplementing with both forms of vitamin A, retinol and carotene, if used alone, retinol will not have any effect.

4. What is the required level of vitamin A?

Recommended vitamin A requirements vary by age:
From 1 to 3 years old: 1000 IU/day From 4 to 8 years old: 1300 IU/day From 9 to 13 years old: 2000 IU/day Men 14 years and older: 3000 IU/day Female 14 and older: 2300 IU/day Safe supplemental dose of vitamin A (in terms of retinol):
Under 3 years old: no more than 2000 IU/day 4 - 8 years old: no more than 3000 IU /day From 9 to 13 years old: not more than 6000 IU/day From 14 to 18 years old (including pregnancy and lactation): no more than 9000 IU/day From 19 years old and up: not more than 10000 IU/ day

5. Harm of taking too much vitamin A

If too much vitamin A is added, it can lead to an excess of vitamin A that can cause many harmful effects such as:
Skin changes: jaundice, itching and increased sensitivity to sunlight Changes in vision (in young children can be double vision) Brittle, brittle nails Fragile hair Bone pain, weak bones Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting Difficulty gaining weight Loss of taste Periodontal disease Irritability Fatigue Mental changes

6. Drug interactions to note when using vitamin A supplements

Vitamin A supplements can interact with some medications you are using, so it should be noted:
If you are using retinoid-containing drugs, do not add vitamin A, because it may cause an overdose of vitamin A. some antibiotics: some antibiotics of the cycline group (demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline) if used together with very high doses of vitamin A can cause an increase in intracranial pressure (with normal doses of vitamin A, this phenomenon will not occur. this). Liver damage: High doses of vitamin A alone can cause liver damage, so it should not be combined with drugs that also affect the liver such as acetaminophen, amiodarone, carbamazepine, isoniazid, methotrexate, methyldopa, fluconazole, itraconazole , erythromycin, phenytoin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and many others. Increased effects of other drugs: High doses of vitamin A can increase the effects of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding.

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Article reference source: webmd.com, healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com