Foods High in Vitamin A

From LoveToKnow Vitamins

Because too much of a vitamin supplement may result in an overdose, it’s recommended that you eat foods high in vitamin A if you want to ingest more of this fat-soluble vitamin

Vitamin A and You

Vitamin_A is actually changed in the body from its original form, retinol, into the actual compound known as vitamin A. It’s fat soluble, meaning the body can store it in fat cells until such time as it’s needed. Because the body stores vitamin A, rather than rids itself of the excess, you can actually overdose on vitamin A. Symptoms of vitamin A overdose include stomach problems and digestive problems as well as extreme lethargy or tiredness. One telltale sign of too much vitamin A is an orange or tan tint to the skin, like too much topical tanning gel. This is actually the body storing beta-carotene in every possible nook and cranny, with the result an orange glow. Many people who eat bags and bags of mini carrots daily as a diet food end up with this odd tan. It goes away once you stop eating so many carrots.

Deficiencies

Most people, however, are more concerned with vitamin deficiencies than they are with vitamin overdoses. Vitamin_A_Deficiency is uncommon in the United States, but worldwide, over half a million children lose their vision due to a simple vitamin deficiency. Deficiencies may be caused by malnutrition or malabsorption, meaning that although the right amount of foods rich in vitamin A are eaten, but the body cannot use the vitamins properly. This can be the result of an intestinal problem, stomach problem, or variety of other medical conditions.

Foods High in Vitamin A

Many foods high in vitamin A provide the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for this essential vitamin.

Animal Food Sources

According to Diet and Fitness Today, the best sources of vitamin A are fish and animal products. These include:

Cod fish
Fish oils
Turkey
Duck
Beef
Lamb
Pork

Many people may remember their grandparents or parents urging them to eat liver. Turkey, beef, goose and duck liver all contain high amounts of vitamin A. If you enjoy organ meats, they are packed full of this important vitamin. Other animal sources of vitamin A include eggs.

Plant Food Sources

Most people imagine a plate of steamed carrots or perhaps sweet potatoes when they think of vitamin A. These orange-tinted vegetables and their relatives such as acorn and butternut squash are all excellent sources of beta-carotene, which transforms into vitamin A in the body.

Other vegan and vegetarian sources of vitamin A include:

Broccoli
Spinach
Kale
Peas
Red peppers
Apricots
Peaches
Cantaloupe
Lemons
Apples
Tomatoes

One way to get a healthy dose of vitamin A daily is to drink a green drink or green smoothie. These delicious blends of greens and fruit are packed with vitamins and fiber and are naturally low calorie and filling.

Why Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is necessary for life, and important to maintain our vision, skin, and many other organs and functions. Vitamin A supplements may be purchased at health food stores. Yet too much vitamin A can result in serious side effects, and in the case of pregnant women taking too much vitamin A can lead to severe birth defects in unborn children. Most doctors and nutritionists agree that eating food sources of vitamin A, particularly plant-based food sources, is safe and healthy.

So visit the produce section of your favorite grocery store and stock up on crunchy carrots, yummy sweet potatoes, sweet peaches and cantaloupe. Visit online recipe sites and print a variety of fast, easy recipes so you always have a selection to cook up those vegetables, or enjoy them raw, fresh and unprocessed.