Vitamin A – a source of the forever youthfulness

Vitamin A, or the so called retinol, is famous as the most efficient mean for revitalizing the skin, found out in the far 1920. This is when the scientists discover its qualities and name it with the initial letter of the alphabet. Or otherwise, vitamin A is the common name, given to a group of naturally formed molecules, called retinoid – important combinations, observed in both sources of vegetable and animal origin that are necessary for the effective influence of the immune system. Very soon after discovering this medicine the researchers of the university at healthcare in Michigan decide to check what its effect is on the skin of elderly people. The experiment continues half a year in which every day on the left arm of all people included in the experiment is applied lotion, containing retinol and on the other – a plain lotion. The result is obvious – a considerable reduction of wrinkles and rough area on the skin that is treated with vitamin A. the dermatologists explain its revitalizing effect with the fact that it stimulates the formation of collagen – the main building albumen of the skin cells. More collagen – quicker regeneration, better protection from various damages. Except that the here discussed vitamin protects the epidermis from the harmful influence of the sun rays. This is one of the most active anti-oxidants that prevent the negative influence of the oxidizing processed in the environment that may lead to dying of life cells.

When there is a lack of vitamin A in the organism, the body becomes more amenable to infections that may lead to all kinds of diseases – from German measles to AIDS. It plays an important role in the synthesis of the eyesight pigment rodopsin that ensures the adequate adaptation of the eye to the slight light. For its formation is necessary to have a certain amount of retinol in the organism.

Vitamin A also stimulates the synthesis of the above – kidney and sexual hormones, improves the resistance of the organism towards cold and infection diseases. The deficiency of vitamin A leads to destroyed adaptation of the eye to reduced light /or the so called blindness in half dark places/, as well as to increased pigmentation of the skin. Despite that vitamin A is with no doubt utterly necessary, more does not necessarily mean better. Actually in this case we can even speak for danger, therefore please be very cautious. Vitamin A is the only vitamin, which, providing it is taken in over doses, can lead to toxic displays, exactly as a result of the over consummation of foods, that are rich in vitamin A. the most often observed side effects are easy irritation, nervousness, headaches, vomiting, aches in the bones, overall fatigue, slur vision. Especially during pregnancy the future mothers need to be very careful. The daily doses of 10 000 IU /quantity, met in some nutrition additives of multivitamins and minerals/ in the first 3 months of the pregnancy are related to the high risk of spontaneous abortion, anomalies in the development of the fetus, inborn flaws.

Vitamin A is contained in foods, rich in fats. Most of all these are the fishy and natural oil, the beef liver, the spawn, whip cream, the yolk of egg. But not only in them. Also in the milk products, pumpkin, spinach, potatoes, tuna fish, dark green, orange and red colored vegetables /spinach, dock, salads, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli/, as well as in the red and orange fruits – apricots, peaches, melon, mango and many more.

October 2008