Hi, Today we are going to talk about Vitamins and mainly we will focus on Vitamin A. So, let's start.
There are two different types of nutrients that our body need:
1. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat, and water) are the nutrients that our body need in large amount.
2. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are the nutrients that our body needs in a small amount.
Vitamins are needed in small
amounts but are important for our body. Vitamins are used for growth,
maintenance, and function in our bodies. We can fulfill the vitamin requirement
in our body with the help of a balanced diet.
Our body is unable to make
vitamins except for Vitamin D which our skin synthesized upon sun exposure.
While some vitamin B and vitamin K are synthesized in the gut flora.
Types of vitamins:
There are two different types of
vitamins:
Water-soluble (Vitamin B, and C)
This type of
vitamins are absorbed in water and are not stored in our bodies. These vitamins
are heat sensitive. As these vitamins do not store in our body high doses
might not be harmful to our body.
Fat-soluble (Vitamin A, D, E, and K)
This type of
vitamins are absorbed when fat is present in food and store in the fatty tissues
and liver in our body. High doses of this type of vitamin that causes toxicity.
Vitamin A: It is an essential
micronutrient which our body needs in a small amount for the maintenance of cell
function for growth, red blood cell production, the normal visual system
functioning, reproduction, and immunity.
Functions of Vitamin A:
- Bone growth
- Healthy skin
- Regulate Immune system
- Vision
- Maintains surface lining of eyes
- Generates pigments for the retina
- Embryonic development and reproduction
- Reproduction
- Antioxidant activity
Deficiency of Vitamin A:
Deficiency of vitamin results in
hypovitaminosis or if it is severe then known as avitaminosis because of insufficient
vitamin intake in food or because of stress or any disease.
What are the signs of vitamin A
deficiency?
Extremely dry skin, hair, or
nails, night blindness, and decreased resistance to infections.
Toxicity of Vitamin A:
Toxicity of vitamin occurs when a person is taking high doses of vitamin A. Signs are headache, blurred vision,
poor muscle coordination, hair loss, bone pain, etc.
Where does Vitamin A come from?
Animal sources of vitamin A:
Cheese, milk, egg, meat, liver, and fish.
Plant sources of vitamin A:
Carrots, apricots, peaches, melon, mango, avocado, pepper, sweet potatoes,
lettuce and broccoli.
Recommended Daily Amount of
Vitamin A:
Recommended daily amount of vitamin A is 700 micrograms in women and 900 micrograms in men.
Conclusion:
Micronutrients are as important
for us as macronutrients. We can get all nutrients if we develop a habit of
eating a balanced diet and can save ourselves from the destruction of our body.
So, eat a balanced meal and stay healthy.
I have started today the vitamin
series. In the coming days, I will give an introduction to all types of vitamins, and
then we will separately discuss each vitamin-like which we need to use
for better skin, hair growth, and each topic that is related to vitamins.
So, stay with me and absorb this fruitful knowledge for your better life.
If you have any questions, feel
free to ask down in the comment or you can contact me by filling up the contact
us form. Please share with your family, friends, and your near ones. So that
they can get familiar with food more in-depth and live a healthy life.
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