Vitamin A is known as Retinol. It's a fat-soluble vitamin. Your body requires an adequate amount of Vitamin A for healthy vision, bone growth, immune functions, and reproduction. In addition, Vitamin A promotes the development and maintenance of a healthy overall appearance. A person's skin and hair appear healthier when the recommended intake of Vitamin A is met on a daily basis.

Do you know how to get enough Vitamin A? Some reliable food sources where Vitamin A can be found are: spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, bell peppers, turnips, peaches, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, oatmeal, milk, liver, and eggs. As you can see, Vitamin A is very friendly to the Vegetarian and Vegan diet.

Persons over the age of nineteen should watch their daily diets and Vitamin A intake. It's suggested that males over the age of nineteen consume meals which from which they will obtain 900 micrograms of Vitamin A on a daily basis. Females over the age of nineteen, on the other hand, should have an intake of 700 micrograms of this vitamin on a daily basis.

Through research and surveys, statistics show that most North Americans do not suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. Perhaps, this is because it's present in most the foods we eat on a daily basis. If it's not a naturally occurring vitamin, it has most likely been added to many of the foods that we love so much. In fact, those persons in North America who do suffer from vitamin deficiency are found to be those who partake in strict dietary restrictions and consume large amounts of alcohol. Excess alcohol depletes Vitamin A in your body.

Nevertheless, there are millions (if not billions) of people that suffer from Vitamin A deficiency on a global level. For instance, when you examine developing countries with malnourished citizens, Vitamin A deficiencies can be observed. Vitamin A is required for proper immune functions. Without a proper intake, a person's body can not fight infections properly. Hence, many children die each year from infections throughout developing countries. Studies also link vitamin A deficient individuals with Pneumonia. When deficient, the cells that line the lungs lose their ability to remove disease causing microorganisms.

Unfortunately, Vitamin A deficiency can have life-altering or life-threatening effects. According to the World Health Organization: "An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight." These tragic consequences require sustainable solutions.

Those who feel that they are lacking Vitamin A in their diets should talk to their family physician about a scheduled diet or Vitamin A supplements. While supplements may seem like a hassle, they're a quick remedy, low cost, and Vitamin A may be exactly what your body needs to help you maintain a healthy life.

About the author:

Marissa Wilson is a researcher and writer for www.vitaminetc.com and other health related websites and publications.