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Vitamin A and beta-carotene are antioxidants, which may help protect against cancer and improve resistance to certain diseases. They also help form and maintain healthy function of the eyes, hair, teeth, gums, and mucous membranes. In addition, vitamin A is involved in fat metabolism and the production of white blood cells.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms: retinol, found in animal tissues, and beta-carotene, found in plants. (Beta-carotene is sometimes called a provitamin because it must be broken down by the body into vitamin A before it acts as a vitamin)
Good Food Sources: Whole milk, butter, organ meats, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, butternut squash, spinach, arugula, red bell peppers, dark green vegetables, liver, cheese, fish liver oil, egg yolks, and apricots.
Signs of Deficiency: Signs of vitamin A deficiency include night blindness, slow or stunted growth in children, dry skin and eyes, increased susceptibility to infectious disease.
Uses of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene: Vitamin A and beta-carotene are used to treat arteriosclerosis, bronchitis , cancer, cataracts, colds and flu, gingivitis, herpes, impotence, macular degeneration, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis
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