Vitamin A – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

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Overview

Vitamin A is a type of vitamin that can be stored in fat. It is common practice to refer to its various forms as “retinoids.” Retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and retinyl ester are some of the compounds that fall under this category.

Vitamin A is essential to the development and operation of a wide variety of bodily tissues and organs, including the eyes, skin, and immune system, amongst others. It is present in a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and fish, among others. Carotenoids are a class of compounds that are only present in plant-based foods. The body can convert some of these substances into vitamin A.

Treatment for vitamin A deficiency is the most prevalent reason that people take vitamin A. It is also utilized for a variety of other illnesses, including aging skin, acne, HIV/AIDS, cataracts, child development, and infections, amongst others.

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Uses & Effectiveness

Effective treatment for a lack of vitamin A. Consuming vitamin A through oral supplementation is an effective method for treating and preventing vitamin A insufficiency.

Possible efficacy in treating skin that is ageing. People with ageing skin can see improvements in their skin’s colour, flexibility, and wrinkles when they apply vitamin A (retinol) topically to their skin. It is not quite apparent whether over-the-counter retinol, which does not require a prescription, works as effectively as prescription medications, such as tretinoin (Renova).

A respiratory condition that is common in infants and children (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). The administration of vitamin A in the form of injection appears to minimise the incidence of this lung illness among infants who were born with low birth weight. Vitamin A injections are something that can only be administered by a trained medical professional.

Measles. Children who have measles with a vitamin A deficiency appear to have a lower chance of developing complications from the disease or passing away from it when they take vitamin A supplements orally.

Vision that works well in dimly lit environments. It appears that taking vitamin A in pill form orally during pregnancy can cut the risk of night blindness in people suffering from malnutrition by 37 percent. When used in conjunction with zinc, vitamin A may prove to be more effective in treating this illness.

A common side effect of smoking is the development of white spots inside the mouth (oral leukoplakia). Oral administration of vitamin A at high doses can be an effective treatment for these lesions.

Any kind of fatality is acceptable. Children under the age of 5 who are at risk for vitamin A deficiency and who take vitamin A by mouth in high doses lessen the likelihood that they will pass away as a result of their condition. Vitamin A supplementation does not show to lower the risk of mortality in otherwise healthy persons.

Complications following the delivery of the baby In adults who are malnourished, preventing diarrhoea and lowering their chance of dying after giving birth can be accomplished by taking vitamin A orally before, during, and after pregnancy.

An eye ailment that runs in families and is characterised by impaired night vision and a loss of peripheral vision (retinitis pigmentosa). The progression of an eye condition that damages the retina can be slowed down by taking vitamin A in pill form and taking it by mouth.

A form of inflammation that affects the bowel (ulcerative colitis). Adults who have ulcerative colitis may experience fewer symptoms if they take vitamin A in pill form every day for a period of two months.

Skin wrinkles from sun damage. In women with sun-damaged skin, using a vitamin A (retinol) serum that does not require a prescription helps enhance the skin’s smoothness and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It is possible that it will be as effective as the over-the-counter anti-wrinkle treatments that have been authorised for sale by the FDA, such as tretinoin (Renova).

Possible Lack of Efficacy for Individuals Who Are Susceptible to Allergies and Allergic Reactions (atopic disease). It does not appear that giving a newborn a single dose of vitamin A by mouth will prevent them from developing atopy.

The passing away of an unborn child or a newborn born prematurely. It does not appear that taking vitamin A orally prior to, during, or after pregnancy will reduce the risk of a newborn passing away during the first year of life. It also does not appear that providing vitamin A to infants directly through their mouths will prevent infant mortality.

Intestinal parasitic infection is caused by the presence of parasites. It does not appear that the administration of a single oral dosage of vitamin A to children who are taking medication for the treatment of intestinal parasites will prevent reinfection.

One of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer (melanoma). There is no evidence that increasing the amount of vitamin A that is consumed orally in a high dose can improve a person’s chance of surviving melanoma.

Miscarriage. There is no correlation between orally ingesting vitamin A, either on its own or in combination with other vitamins, prior to or during the early stages of pregnancy with a reduced risk of either miscarriage or stillbirth.

Tuberculosis. People who have this condition and take vitamin A by mouth do neither appear to have an improvement in their symptoms nor a reduction in their chance of passing away.

It is quite unlikely to be effective in treating head and neck cancer. Vitamin A taken orally does not increase survival rates for patients who already have head and neck cancer, nor does it lower the risk of acquiring new tumours.

HIV transmission. Consuming vitamin A through the digestive system does not reduce the likelihood of HIV being passed on to the developing foetus during pregnancy, to newborns at delivery, or to babies through breastfeeding. Taking vitamin A supplements while pregnant may actually raise the likelihood of transmitting HIV to one’s child through one’s breast milk.

Infection of the lower airways of the respiratory tract Children who take vitamin A orally do not have a decreased risk of developing lower airway infections nor do their symptoms improve. In addition, it appears that giving nursing infants vitamin A when the mother is breastfeeding them does not protect them from these diseases.

Pneumonia. Vitamin A taken orally is ineffective as a treatment for or preventative measure against pneumonia in children living in underdeveloped nations.

There is considerable interest in applying vitamin A to a variety of additional functions; however, there is insufficient trustworthy data to determine whether or not this could be beneficial.

Side Effects

Vitamin A is considered to be safe for consumption when consumed in doses that are less than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) on a daily basis when taken orally. Provitamin A and pre-formed vitamin A, also known as retinol or retinyl ester, are the two types of vitamin A that can be obtained (carotenoids). Only the pre-formed form of vitamin A counts toward your daily maximum intake.

If you consume more than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) of pre-formed vitamin A per day, there is a chance that you could experience adverse effects. It’s possible that taking a higher dose will make your symptoms worse. The use of high doses over a prolonged period of time may induce serious negative effects, including changes in mental state.

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When taken in small doses for a limited amount of time, vitamin A may not be harmful when applied to the skin. It has been shown that daily use of retinol 0.5% serum for up to 12 weeks does not result in any major adverse effects.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Vitamin A is considered to be safe for consumption when consumed in doses that are less than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) on a daily basis when taken orally. Provitamin A and pre-formed vitamin A, also known as retinol or retinyl ester, are the two types of vitamin A that can be obtained (carotenoids). Only the pre-formed form of vitamin A counts toward your daily maximum intake.

If you consume more than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) of pre-formed vitamin A per day, there is a chance that you could experience adverse effects. It’s possible that taking a higher dose will make your symptoms worse. The use of high doses over a prolonged period of time may induce serious negative effects, including changes in mental state.

When taken in small doses for a limited amount of time, vitamin A may not be harmful when applied to the skin. It has been shown that daily use of retinol 0.5% serum for up to 12 weeks does not result in any major adverse effects.

When taken in the recommended doses, which are fewer than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) of pre-formed vitamin A daily, vitamin A is expected to be safe for consumption during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Greater quantities may pose a health risk and may cause birth abnormalities if they are consumed during pregnancy. During the first three months of pregnancy, pay close attention to the amount of vitamin A consumed from any and all sources. Numerous foods, such as animal liver, certain morning cereals that have been fortified, and nutritional supplements all contain vitamin A in one form or another.

Vitamin A may not provide any health risks if consumed by children in the doses that are suggested. The maximum levels of vitamin A that are considered to be risk-free for consumption by children vary according to their ages. When administered orally in sufficient quantities, vitamin A may pose a health risk to youngsters. When used in excessive quantities, this might result in a variety of unpleasant side effects, including irritation, drowsiness, diarrhoea, and other issues.

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol: It is possible that drinking alcohol will enhance the possibly detrimental effects that vitamin A has on the liver.

Conditions that prevent the body from absorbing fat normally People who suffer from conditions that prevent fat absorption normally are unable to absorb vitamin A normally. Celiac disease, short gut syndrome, jaundice, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic illness, and cirrhosis of the liver are some of the disorders that fall into this category. Carotenoids are a water-soluble type of vitamin A that should be taken as an alternative if you suffer from one of these illnesses.

A lack of iron can impair the body’s ability to make use of vitamin A, and vice versa.

In patients with liver illness, taking in excessive amounts of vitamin A may make the condition even more severe. If you have liver illness, you should avoid taking vitamin A pills at all costs.

Malnutrition: Those who suffer from severe protein malnutrition should avoid taking vitamin A supplements because doing so may cause them to have an unsafe level of vitamin A in their bodies.

Zinc deficiency: A zinc deficiency may cause symptoms similar to those of vitamin A insufficiency. It is possible that the only way to improve this disease is to take dietary supplements that include both vitamin A and zinc.

Interactions

Significant Participation

Do not combine these medications in any way.

Vitamin A has the potential to interact with retinoids, which are medications used to treat skin disorders.

Vitamin A is an ingredient in a number of topical treatments for skin disorders. It is possible that combining vitamin A with certain drugs will result in harmful side effects.

Interaction that is Not Overbearing

Take precautions when using these two together.

There is an interaction between antibiotics (tetracycline antibiotics) and vitamin A.

When taken together, very high doses of vitamin A and tetracycline can increase the risk of a significant adverse effect known as intracranial hypertension. However, it does not appear that this issue is caused by the consumption of vitamin A in quantities that are considered to be normal in conjunction with tetracycline. If you are already on antibiotics, you should avoid consuming excessive doses of vitamin A.

Interactions between hepatotoxic pharmaceuticals, sometimes known as medications that can cause liver damage, and vitamin A

Consuming high quantities of vitamin A could be detrimental to the liver. Some drugs, in addition, can cause damage to the liver. When combined, a medicine that is known to be toxic to the liver with large doses of vitamin A may enhance the likelihood that liver damage may occur.

The blood thinner warfarin (also known as coumadin) interacts with vitamin A.

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Warfarin is taken to reduce the likelihood of blood clots forming. Additionally, high levels of vitamin A have been shown to inhibit the coagulation of blood. The combination of vitamin A and warfarin can enhance the risk of bruising and bleeding when either medication is taken. Always remember to get your blood examined on a regular basis. It’s possible that your current dose of warfarin needs to be adjusted.

Dosing

One of the most vital nutrients is vitamin A. It can be found in a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk in its entire form, fish, and meat. The term “recommended dietary allowance” refers to the amount of food and drink that should be taken on a daily basis (RDA). The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for men is 900 mcg, while the RDA for women is 700 mcg. The recommended daily allowance for women who are pregnant is 770 mcg. During breastfeeding, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 1300 mcg. When calculating the RDA for children, age is a factor.

Pre-formed vitamin A, also known as retinol or retinyl ester, and provitamin A are the two types of vitamin A that can be found in dietary supplements (carotenoids). Only the amount of pre-formed vitamin A should be counted when evaluating the safety of goods that include both types of vitamin A. Additionally, vitamin A can be found in a wide variety of topical products, such as lotions, creams, and serums. Talk to a medical professional about your symptoms to find out what kind of treatment and dosage would work best for your particular problem.