Sources of Vitamin A

Foods rich in Vitamin A (retinol) include those animal origin such as sheep liver, egg yolk, whole milk, butter, ghee. Vegetables such as colacasia, turnip greens, drumsticks / moringa, beet, carrots and spinach are rich source of carotene. Fruits which are rich in carotene include mangoes, apricot, gooseberries, raspberries and oranges.

Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency

Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency include inflammation of eyes, poor vision. Prolong deficiency may result in nightblindness. There is an increased susceptibility to infections, especially of the respiratory tract, in the form of frequent and prolonged common colds. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to lack of appetite and vigour, defective teeth and gums, skin disorders such as pimples, acne, boils and premature wrinkles.

When Vitamin A is present in insufficient amounts, the mucous membranes of nose, throat, mouth, bronchial tubes, lungs, intestinal tract, kidneys and vagina are greatly affected. Eventually the mucous membrane of the entire body lose their ability to secrete the normal quantities of mucus needed to protect them from irritation, and the body degenerates rapidly. Other deficiency symptoms include retarded growth in children, dry and dull hair, dandruff, excessive hair loss, ridged nails, and poor sense of taste and smell.

Healing and Therapeutic properties of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is taken in large therapeutic doses of 7,500 to 15,000 mcg a day for purposes of treating deficiency conditions. Vitamin A supplements are beneficial in treatment of common cold, sinus problem, influenza and other infectious diseases. Vitamin A is valuable in curing night blindness and other eye diseases, asthama, arthritis, high blood pressure and kidney disorders.
Vitamin A on treatment of Eye problems: Night blindness and milder conjuctival changes respond to doses of Vitamin A. Corneal damage can be treated with Vitamin A supply. In cases of xerophthalmia, a type of dry conjunctivitis due to lack of Vitamin A in small children, doses of retinol have shown beneficial results.

Vitamin A Therapy for Acne

Vitamin A therapy has been found beneficial in the treatment of acne.

Vitamin A and other skin diseases

Adequate doses of Vitamin A helps in revive warts and other growth in the skin such as boils, rashes and carbuncles. Dose of Vitamin A vary depending upon the condition of skin. Vitamin A therapy is considered especially effective for corns.

Side effects of excess intake of Retinol

Excess intake of Vitamin A can have toxic effects on body, this includes symptoms like hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, scaly skin, blurred vision, fatigue, headache and liver enlargement, joint pain, dryness and fissure of lips, loss of appetite, weight loss and others.