Vitamin A (Retinol) is a fat soluble vitamin that is also a powerful antioxidant. It plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision, neurological function, healthy skin, and is also responsible for building strong bones, regulating gene regulation, and supporting immune function. Vitamin A protects the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts against infection. Vitamin A – like all antioxidants – is involved in reducing inflammation through fighting free radical damage.
Health Concerns Contributing to Malabsorption of Vitamin A (Retinol):
- Gluten sensitivity
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Autoimmune responses
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Pancreatic disorders
- Alcoholics, whose excess toxicity creates low Vitamin A levels, are also at a much higher risk for deficiency.
Health Problems Associated to Vitamin A (Retinol) Deficiency:
- Autism – One cause of autism may be a defect in a retinoid receptor protein (G-alpha protein) which is critical for language processing, attention and sensory perception. Evidence suggests natural vitamin A fixes this protein defect in autistics.
- Asthma – Prevents exercise-induced asthma. Regulates bronchial responsiveness.
- Depression – Oxidative stress in the brain alters neurotransmitter function. Antioxidants protect our brain which is very sensitive to oxidation. Several antioxidants – Vitamins A, C and E, Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Glutathione and Cysteine – play a key role in prevention and treatment of depression.
- Estrogen – Helps metabolize the biologically active estrogen (estradiol) to an inactive form (estrone).
- Fatigue – When cellular levels of Vitamin A are low, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production decreases.
- Gastrointestinal Health – Regulates growth of epithelial cells, including those that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Reduces inflammatory proteins in the gut.
- Hypothyroidism – Activates gene that regulates TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
- Hypertension – Suppresses the growth of vascular smooth muscle, thus keeping blood vessels (lumen) clear and wide.
- Inflammation – Regulates the cellular immune response to inflammatory signals. Deficiency increases the severity of chronic inflammation. Zinc depletion lowers vitamin A status.
- Insomnia – Studies suggest Vitamin A deficiency alters brain waves in non-REM sleep causing sleep to be less restorative.
- Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea patients have low retinol (Vitamin A). Retinol suppresses the growth of vascular smooth muscle, a process that causes blood vessels to clog, linking low Vitamin A levels to the cardiovascular complications seen in sleep apnea patients.
- Weight Management – Enhances expression of genes that reduce a person’s tendency to store food as fat. Reduces the size of fat cells.
How to Acquire Vitamin A (Retinol):
- Beef Liver
- Carrots
- Sweet Potato
- Kale
- Spinach
- Romaine Lettuce
- Apricots
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Eggs
- Winter Squash
- Cantaloupe Melon
- Tuna Fish
Clinical Updated on Vitamin A (Retinol)
