Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods.
There are two different types of vitamin A. The first type, preformed vitamin A, is found in meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.
The second type, provitamin A, is found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products.
Vitamin A is important for many body functions, include normal vision, immune functions, and reproduction.
Previous research has shown that Vitamin A also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs work properly.
However, according to scientists from the NIH, high intakes of some forms of vitamin A can be dangerous.
For example, getting too much vitamin A from supplements or certain medicines can lead to dizziness, nausea, headaches, coma, and even death.
High intakes of vitamin A in pregnant women may cause birth defects in their babies.
Researchers suggest that women who might be pregnant do not take high doses of vitamin A supplements.
Studies also have found that consuming high amounts of beta-carotene (most common type of provitamin A) or other forms of vitamin A can turn the skin yellow-orange, but this condition is harmless.
High intakes of beta-carotene do not cause birth defects or the other more serious effects.
The current upper limits for vitamin A in adults 19 years and older is 10,000 IU.
It is also important to know that vitamin A may interact with some drugs.
For instance, a weight-loss drug called orlistat (Alli®, Xenical®) can decrease the absorption of vitamin A. This may cause low blood levels in some people.
in addition, several synthetic forms of vitamin A are used in prescription medicines. Taking these medicines combined with a vitamin A supplement may lead to dangerously high levels of vitamin A in the blood.
It is important to tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other healthcare providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you take.
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