Vitamin A
What is vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and is stored in the liver. It can be taken into the body in two forms:
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Retinol
which is animal-derived and is Vitamin A in its complete form. Sources include: fish oil especially fish liver oil, eggs, dairy products, milk and offal.
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Carotenoids e.g. beta-carotene:
these chemicals make fruit and vegetables red, orange and yellow. They are converted to active vitamin A in our body. Good sources of these include: carrots, pumpkin, squash, chilli peppers, dried apricots, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables e.g. broccoli, spinach, spring greens and kale.
The key functions of Vitamin A include:
healthy immunity
Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
healthy skin
the lining of the mouth, nose, throat, lungs and digestive tract.
healthy eyes.
normal iron metabolism.
Why is vitamin A important to children’s health?
When children do not eat enough dairy, eggs or oily fish they run the risk of having low intakes of Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy skin and vision as well as a healthy immune system.
