COOPERATIVE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY FACT SHEET
Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2020
The Importance of Vitamin A
Dr. Kristopher R. Grimes, Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist for Nutrition and Nutrition Education Nilima Mishra, Extension Associate for Dietetics and Human Nutrition
Growing up we often heard our parents telling us to eat our fruits and vegetables. Reluctantly, many of us would comply with our parents' wishes and eat our carrots, green beans, and even spinach. However, little did we know that as we munching on those fruits and veggies, we were getting all sorts of important vitamins.
Vitamins are small, organic molecules that we need in small amounts in order to grow and remain healthy. Because we can't make vitamins in our bodies, we have to get them from food that we eat. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods like carrots, eggs, and even some meats, like salmon.
Vitamin A is important for many reasons, like healthy skin and strong bones. Not getting enough Vitamin A can lead to serious health problems.
Why is Vitamin A Important for My Health?
It is necessary for normal vision
Vitamin A helps with bone growth
It promotes healthy skin
Vitamin A protects against infections
It provides immune support
Vitamin A helps prevent cancer
What Leads to Deficiencies?
Diets deficient in vegetables and fruits
Not eating enough eggs and/or dairy
Excess alcohol intake
Long term illness/ infections
Pregnancy
Deficiencies in Vitamin A Can Cause:
Poor vision and/or blindness
Improper bone growth
Susceptibility to infections (digestion, respiratory, urinary)
Dry, scaly, skin
Growth retardation in children
Night blindness in pregnancy
What are the Best Sources of Vitamin A?
Green vegetables: spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce
Red, orange, and yellow vegetables: carrots, red pepper, sweet potatoes
Fruits: mango, papaya, apricot, cantaloupe
Eggs and dairy
Certain fish: salmon, tuna
Beef liver (in moderation)
References:
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProflpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-A
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/vitamin-and-beta-carotene
www.who.int/vmnis/database/vitamina/en/
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM
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Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. 2019 KYSU-CEP-FAC-0009