Dear Dr. Deena,
I hear so much about taking Vitamins daily. Can you tell more about Vitamin A?
JJ
Vitamin A is important for proper functioning of our immune system and the maintenance of healthy skin, bone and teeth. Vitamin A is essential for our vision (especially during the night when light is dim), since it is the main component of a protein called rhodopsin (which helps our eye form images at low light intensities).
Vitamin A deficiency is quite rare in the USA, but is quite common in underdeveloped countries in the world. The most obvious symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is called "xerophthalmia" or night blindness.
Some of those at risk for Vitamin A deficiency include:
-Those suffering from poor nutrition due to limited access to foods containing Vitamin A
-Those with diseases effecting the pancreas like Cystic Fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, etc.
The pancreas releases enzymes that help break down fats, allowing for improved absorption in the intestines. Vitamin A is composed of fats. If the pancreas is not functioning properly, Vitamin A cannot be broken down and absorbed appropriately.
Children (RDA)
1 - 3 years: 300 mcg/day
4 - 8 years: 400 mcg/day
9 - 13 years: 600 mcg/day
Adolescents and Adults (RDA)Males age 14 and older: 900 mcg/day
Females age 14 and older: 700 mcg/day
How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender. Other factors, such as pregnancy and your underlying health, are also important.
Too much Vitamin A can lead to a Vitamin A toxicity, which can lead to liver failure, kidney damage, brain swelling and ultimately death. This is why it is important to ask your doctor what dose is best for you.
True or false:
Eating too many carrots can turn your skin orange.
Answer: True!
This condition is called "carotenemia" and it is caused by the excessive intake of carrots or other vegetables which increase the levels of carotenes in the blood. This is a harmless condition and is usually seen in lighter-skinned individuals, infants, and young children.
These "Carotenoids" are deposited in the thickest layer of the skin called the stratum corneum. This is why the color change is most notable in the areas where skin is the thickest: palms, soles of feet, knees, and nasolabial folds.
As mentioned before this condition is harmless, as the body will regulate the levels of carotenes. Those with carotenemia will get better slowly over weeks to months depending on how much carotene was consumed.
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I hear so much about taking Vitamins daily. Can you tell more about Vitamin A?
JJ
Vitamin A is important for proper functioning of our immune system and the maintenance of healthy skin, bone and teeth. Vitamin A is essential for our vision (especially during the night when light is dim), since it is the main component of a protein called rhodopsin (which helps our eye form images at low light intensities).
Who Is At Risk for Vitamin A Deficiency?
Vitamin A deficiency is quite rare in the USA, but is quite common in underdeveloped countries in the world. The most obvious symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is called "xerophthalmia" or night blindness.
Some of those at risk for Vitamin A deficiency include:
-Those suffering from poor nutrition due to limited access to foods containing Vitamin A
-Those with diseases effecting the pancreas like Cystic Fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, etc.
The pancreas releases enzymes that help break down fats, allowing for improved absorption in the intestines. Vitamin A is composed of fats. If the pancreas is not functioning properly, Vitamin A cannot be broken down and absorbed appropriately.
-Those with diseases effecting the gall bladder like Choledocholithiasis (or obstruction of the bile duct), Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, Cholangiocarcinoma (gall bladder cancer), etc.
The gall bladder releases a substance called bile which helps aid in the absorption of fats, such as Vitamin A. If the gall bladder is not functioning properly, Vitamin A cannot be absorbed by the intestines.
-Those with diseases effecting the intestine like patients who have undergone surgical resection of the intestines, those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Celiac Disease, etc.
Fats, like Vitamin A, are absorbed in the intestine. If the intestines are not functioning properly, Vitamin A cannot be absorbed appropriately.
Sources of Vitamin A
Sources of vitamin A are highest in liver and fish oils. According to the Institute of Medicine - "the top food sources of vitamin A in the U.S. diet include dairy products, liver, fish, and fortified cereals; the top sources of provitamin A (a precursor to vitamin A formation) include carrots, broccoli, cantaloupe, and squash ."
Beta carotenes, found in plant products, are converted to Vitamin A in our body.
Foods high in beta carotenes include:
-Bright yellow and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, and apricots
-Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash
- Leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach
Beta carotenes, found in plant products, are converted to Vitamin A in our body.
Foods high in beta carotenes include:
-Bright yellow and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, and apricots
-Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash
- Leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach
Recommended Doses of Vitamin A
According to the The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine:
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins is how much of each vitamin most people should get each day. The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.Children (RDA)
Adolescents and Adults (RDA)
How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender. Other factors, such as pregnancy and your underlying health, are also important.
Too much Vitamin A can lead to a Vitamin A toxicity, which can lead to liver failure, kidney damage, brain swelling and ultimately death. This is why it is important to ask your doctor what dose is best for you.
True or false:
Eating too many carrots can turn your skin orange.
Answer: True!
This condition is called "carotenemia" and it is caused by the excessive intake of carrots or other vegetables which increase the levels of carotenes in the blood. This is a harmless condition and is usually seen in lighter-skinned individuals, infants, and young children.
These "Carotenoids" are deposited in the thickest layer of the skin called the stratum corneum. This is why the color change is most notable in the areas where skin is the thickest: palms, soles of feet, knees, and nasolabial folds.
As mentioned before this condition is harmless, as the body will regulate the levels of carotenes. Those with carotenemia will get better slowly over weeks to months depending on how much carotene was consumed.
Here is a photo of the palm of a patient with carotenemia compared to a normal palm:
I hope you found this information helpful!
Please feel free to leave comments below, and email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com with any questions or tips that you would like me to discuss!
I can't believe orange skin from eating carrots is a real thing! hilarious! I would have never guessed it. Thanks Dr. Deena!
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