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Vitamin A, an antioxident, is a fat soluble vitamin known to be essential for certain functions, particularly relating to vision and reproduction. The primary benefits of Vitamin A are listed below.

• Good vision
• Assists with reproduction and breastfeeding
• Healthy skin
• Protects the body from free radicals

Vitamin A is an important vitamin, and deficiency can lead to some serious conditions. Since it plays a major role in promoting good vision, it should be no surprise that Vitamin A deficiency can lead to such things as poor vision, with night vision being particularly effected. Additional side effects include such things as a weakened immune system and bumps on the skin. 

However, taking too much Vitamin A is not a good thing either. Being a fat soluble vitamin, unlike vitamin C, it is easier to get too much of Vitamin A.Side effects most often occur in individuals who take very high doses of over 100,000 IUs. Although more rare, some people have reported symptoms from taking a smaller dose around 25,000 IUs. Vitamin A side effects include such things as dry or yellow skin, headaches, vomiting, and fatigue.

The recommended daily value of Vitamin A is 5000 IUs per day, as established by the USRDA.This recommendation is just a guideline, and other factors such as age should be taken into consideration. Generally 700 to 900 mcgs are recommended for adults.

The best source of Vitamin A is of course to get it from food sources, but given the modern, hectic lifestyle, this is not always possible. For such people, one good option may be to take Vitamin A supplements, often through a multivitamin.

Given the fact that the likelihood of overdose is lower, many health experts believe that the ideal way to get Vitamin A is by taking beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A.A common recommended daily dose of beta-carotene is 10,000 IUs. Vitamin sites offer more information on Vitamin A Benefits.

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