Vitamin A - Health Benefits

Aging Process

 Vitamin A may possess Life Extension properties. Maintaining optimal plasma levels are important for longevity ^[1]

Cardiovascular System

 Vitamin A may be useful for the treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia due to Vitamin A’s ability to enhance the absorption of Iron.  ^[2]

 Vitamin A may help to prevent Atherosclerosis. Low plasma levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. ^[3]

 Vitamin A in either its Retinol or Retinoic Acid forms may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting by lowering Fibrinogen levels and by stimulating the production and release of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) levels.  ^[4]

 Vitamin A may help to prevent Heart Attack. Low plasma levels are associated with an increased risk. ^[5]

 High pre-existing serum levels of Vitamin A may accelerate recovery from (ischemic) Stroke, may reduce the death rate from (ischemic) Stroke and may limit the extent of Brain damage that occurs as a result of (ischemic) Stroke.  ^[6]

Cells

 Vitamin A may improve the stability of Cell Membranes by protecting the Fatty Acids contained in the Phospholipids of Cell Membranes from oxidation. 

 Vitamin A may enhance the function of Epithelial Cells that form the outer protective layer of Skin and Mucous Membranes.  ^[7]

 The Retinol form of Vitamin A is essential for the optimal function of the Mitochondria.  ^[8]

 Vitamin A may stimulate the differentiation of Stem Cells.  ^[9]

Digestive System

 Loss of Appetite may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency. 

 Most persons afflicted with Celiac Disease are found to be deficient in Vitamin A indicating that supplemental Vitamin A may benefit Celiac Disease patients.  ^[10]

 Vitamin A may alleviate Colitis and Vitamin A deficiency may exacerbate Colitis.  ^[11]

 Crohn's Disease patients are often found to be deficient in Vitamin A and supplementing with Vitamin A (50,000 IU per day) may counteract this deficiency.  Supplemental Vitamin A may improve intestinal epithelium cell differentiation in Crohn’s disease patients. ^[12]

 Diarrhea may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency. Supplemental Vitamin A is benificial to reduce the incidence of childhood Diarrhea.  ^[13]

 Vitamin A may eliminate the Stomach erosion that occurs in Gastritis.  ^[14]

 Vitamin A when used in conjunction with Vitamin C may alleviate Halitosis.

 Vitamin A may reduce Intestinal Permeability due to its role in improving the structural integrity of the Mucous Membranes that line the Intestinal Wall of the Small Intestine.  ^[15]

 Vitamin A may improve the structural integrity of the Mucous Membranes 

 Vitamin A may help to prevent infestation with some types of Intestinal Parasites:          Vitamin A may help to prevent infestation with most types of Roundworms.  ^[16]

 Vitamin A may facilitate the growth of Parietal Cells of the Gastric Mucosa of the Stomach.  ^[17]

        Vitamin A may be useful for the treatment of Ulcers - Peptic:

        Vitamin A (50,000 – 150,000 IU per day) may facilitate the healing of Ulcers - Gastric.  ^[18]

 Vitamin A may be useful for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Vitamin A plays a role in the maintenance of the Mucosal Membranes of the Digestive System and most Ulcerative Colitis patients are found to have low serum Vitamin A levels.  ^[19]

Ears/Hearing

 Vitamin A may be required for the optimal function of the Acoustic Nerve  Vitamin A deficiency may lead to degeneration of the Acoustic Nerve.  ^[20]

 Vitamin A may be required for the optimal function of the Inner Ear  ^[21]

        The Cochlea a component of the Inner Ear contains high concentrations of Vitamin A and may be functionally dependent on Vitamin A          Vitamin A deficiency may cause degradation in the cuticle of the outer and inner hair cells of the Cochlea.

 Low serum Vitamin A levels may be associated with decreased auditory function,Deafness, and supplemental Vitamin A, 50,000 IU per day = high dose, may improve Hearing in many patients with Deafness:  ^[22]

        Vitamin A, 50,000 IU per day = high dose, may improve Hearing in many Conductive Hearing Loss patients:          Vitamin A, 50,000 IU per week, may improve Hearing in some Otosclerosis patients. ^[23]

        Vitamin A especially when combined with Vitamin E may improve Hearing in Sensorineural Hearing Loss patients:          Vitamin A especially when combined with Vitamin E may improve Hearing in Hearing Loss - Age-Related patients.          Noise-Induced Hearing Loss may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency.  ^[24]

 Vitamin A may help to prevent Otitis Media.  ^[25]

 Vitamin A 50,000 IU per day may alleviate some cases of Tinnitus. ^[26] This dose sould not be taken for long periods of time without consulting with a healthcare professional.

Excretory System

 Vitamin A may increase the structural integrity of the Mucous Membrane linings of the Bladder. 

 Vitamin A may increase resistance to Urinary Tract Infections.   

Eyes/Vision

 Vitamin A may improve dark adaptation in early Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) patients.  ^[27]

 Vitamin A may help to prevent Cataracts.  ^[28]

 Conjunctivitis may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency and supplemental Vitamin A is an adjunct in the treatment of Conjunctivitis.  ^[29]

 Vitamin A helps to maintain the health of the Cornea of the Eyes and Vitamin A deficiency may cause ulceration of the Cornea (Keratomalacia).  ^[30]

 Double Vision may occur as a result of severe Vitamin A deficiency.  ^[31]

 Eyes - Dry (xerophthalmia) may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency and supplemental Vitamin A especially topical Eye Drops containing Vitamin A may reverse the underlying process that causes Dry Eyes.  ^[32]

 Eye Inflammation may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency.  ^[33]

        Vitamin A, Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol forms, concentrate in the Lens of the Eye where it exerts Antioxidant effects that may help to protect the Lens from oxidative damage.  ^[34]

 Vitamin A may improve the structural integrity of the Mucous Membranes linings of the Eyes. 

        Night Blindness or poor Night vision may occur as a result of Vitamin A deficiency due to the 11-cis Retinal form of Vitamin A's role in the formation of Rhodopsin.  ^[35]

        Vitamin A, Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol forms, concentrate in the Retina of the Eyes where it exerts Antioxidant effects that may help to protect the Retina from oxidative damage. 

 Vitamin A, 15,000 IU of the Retinyl Palmitate form per day, may retard the further progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa.  ^[36]

 The Retinyl Palmitate form of Vitamin A, an especially stable form of Vitamin A, may inhibit the degeneration of the Retina of the Eyes associated with Retinopathy  Human studies have demonstrated that Retinyl Palmitate supplementation allows Retinopathy patients to retain their eyesight for an average of seven years longer than would otherwise be expected.

Immune System Health Benefits

Immune System:  Ailments

 Vitamin A may help to prevent Autoimmune Diseases.  ^[37]

        Vitamin A may help to prevent most Bacterial & Viral Diseases and Vitamin A deficiency increases susceptibility to Bacterial & Viral Diseases (via numerous mechanisms that involve the Immune System):  ^[38]

        Vitamin A may help to prevent infections from Viruses:  ^[39]