What does vitamin A do?
Vitamin A is one of the essential fat-soluble vitamins for the human body. It plays an important role in maintaining vision, immune system, skin health, etc. In recent years, with the increase in health awareness, the efficacy of vitamin A has once again become a hot topic. This article will combine the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce the effects of vitamin A in detail, and present relevant research results in structured data.
1. Core functions of vitamin A
The main functions of vitamin A include the following aspects:
| effect | Mechanism of action | Related research |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain healthy vision | Participate in the synthesis of rhodopsin and prevent night blindness | The World Health Organization (WHO) states that vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in children worldwide |
| Enhance immunity | Promote immune cell differentiation and function | A 2023 study in the Journal of Nutrition shows that vitamin A can reduce the risk of respiratory infections |
| Promote skin health | Regulates epidermal cell growth and differentiation | Several dermatology papers confirm that vitamin A derivatives (such as retinol) can improve acne and wrinkles |
| Support reproductive health | Affects sperm and egg development | The journal "Fertility and Sterility" points out that vitamin A plays an important role in the reproductive systems of both men and women. |
2. Vitamin A-related topics that are hotly discussed on the Internet
In the past 10 days, the following vitamin A-related content has sparked widespread discussion on social media and health forums:
| topic | heat index | Main discussion points |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A and myopia prevention and control | 8.5/10 | Parents are concerned about whether vitamin A can really prevent the progression of myopia in children |
| Food supplements vs supplements | 7.2/10 | Debate over whether supplementation is more effective through animal liver or plant foods such as carrots |
| Risk of Vitamin A Overdose | 6.8/10 | Professionals warn that excessive supplementation may lead to symptoms of poisoning |
| Vitamin A and COVID-19 recovery | 5.9/10 | To explore the effect of vitamin A on immune function during recovery period |
3. Recommended intake of vitamin A
Different groups of people have different requirements for vitamin A:
| crowd | Recommended Daily Amount (RAE) | common food sources |
|---|---|---|
| adult male | 900μg | Animal liver, cod liver oil, dairy products |
| adult women | 700μg | Eggs, spinach, carrots |
| pregnant woman | 770μg | Fortified grains, dark vegetables |
| Children (4-8 years old) | 400μg | Mango, sweet potato, milk |
4. Precautions when using vitamin A
1.Differentiating Vitamin A Forms: The utilization rate of retinol in animal foods is higher than that of β-carotene in plant foods.
2.Avoid over-supplementation: Long-term daily intake of more than 3000μg may cause poisoning symptoms such as headaches and liver damage.
3.Be cautious for special groups: Large-dose supplementation by pregnant women may cause teratogenicity. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of a doctor.
4.Storage method: Vitamin A is easily damaged by light and oxidation, so it should be stored in a sealed container away from light.
5. Latest opinions of experts
At the 2023 academic conference of the Chinese Nutrition Society, many experts emphasized:
• The vitamin A deficiency rate in urban populations has dropped to less than 5%, but deficiencies still exist in remote areas
• It is recommended to obtain vitamin A through a balanced diet, healthy people usually do not need additional supplements
• Vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc and other nutrients have a better synergistic effect
In summary, vitamin A, as a key nutrient, plays an important role in multiple physiological processes. Reasonable intake of vitamin A can prevent deficiency and avoid the risk of overdose. It is recommended that the public meet their daily needs through a diversified diet according to their own conditions, and use supplements under professional guidance when necessary.
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