National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Vitamin A is the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Vitamin A is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Vitamin A also plays a role in your
Vitamin A can come from plant or animal sources. Plant sources include colorful fruits and vegetables. Animal sources include liver and whole milk. Vitamin A is also added to foods like cereals.
Vegetarians, young children, and alcoholics may need extra Vitamin A. You might also need more if you have certain conditions, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease. Check with your health care provider to see if you need to take vitamin A supplements.
NIH: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)