Fat-soluble vitamin A does not dissolve in water. In order for it to adapt to the body, the body must have the necessary fats, proteins and minerals. In our body, the liver and so accumulates vitamin A, but if necessary, with a lack of this vitamin can eat foods that contain this vitamin.
Its useful components can be lost by prolonged exposure to products in the open air and under various treatments: canning, cooking. The maximum amount of vitamin that can be saved with this treatment reaches 60-80%.
Properties and importance of vitamin A
The role of the antioxidant vitamin A is very wide. It can not be described in a nutshell. All of its useful properties we need to maintain health.
It promotes the normalization of protein synthesis in the body, promotes cell health. Vitamin A is useful for teeth and bones. It correctly distributes fat deposits and helps to update old cells with new ones.
About his usefulness for the eyes knew in ancient times. The then doctors and healers used cooked liver with night blindness, and, as is known, the liver contains a huge amount of antioxidant vitamin A. Vitamin exercises the normal state of the eye retina and visual analyzers.
The normal working capacity of the immune system, as well as the body's immunity from infections is not feasible without the antioxidant vitamin A. It increases resistance from mucosal viruses, helps the leukocytes work, protects the respiratory tract, urogenital system, gastrointestinal tract. Problems with the endocrine system also make themselves felt in the absence of vitamin A.
Infections such as measles or smallpox are easily tolerated in countries where the standard of living is higher, but poor nutrition, in which there is an acute shortage of vitamin A, can complicate the course of these diseases, which can lead to the death of the ill person. Even those who are infected with AIDS, having enough antioxidant vitamin A in the body, can live longer than ordinary people due to the fact that they consume vitamin A in foods and vitamin preparations.
Our skin needs this vitamin. It promotes the renewal of cells, restores tissues, mucous membranes. Even you can find antioxidant analogues of vitamin A in anti-aging cosmetics. It cures skin diseases, problems with face, body, helps healing burns, wounds. Helps collagen synthesis, promotes the renewal of all layers of tissue. Using it during pregnancy, the mother helps the development of her cub, enriching it with vitamin A. Its deficiency can harm the fetus - it is possible to lack the weight of the newborn. It also helps in the treatment of cancer in conjunction with beta-keratin and in post-operative recovery of the body.
If vitamin A is normally distributed in the body, its active components help protect the heart and arteries. With atherosclerosis and angina, it helps to reduce "harmful" and increase "useful" cholesterol.
Products that contain retinol (vitamin A)
Vitamin A can be found in green, red, yellow foods. For example: in vegetables, various kinds of berries and fruits. But, and the richest sources containing a large amount of this vitamin are pumpkin, parsley, spinach, apricots and carrots. They contain it most of all. And besides these vegetables and fruits in themselves have useful properties.
But still the best source of vitamin A is fish oil and liver, and in large quantities it can be found in butter, egg yolks, milk and cream. For example, beef, cereals and low-fat vitamin A products are kept in very small quantities.
When eating various kinds of vegetables and fruits that have beta-kerotin, oxidative reactions occur in the body that produce an antioxidant vitamin A.
But nevertheless scientists have revealed the evidence that using only the components that contain vitamin A with its deficiency in the body, you can not make up for it the body. It is necessary to use vitamin preparations containing vitamin A. They do not harm the body, only make up for the loss of this vitamin.
Interaction of vitamin A
How does the antioxidant vitamin A interact with other substances? It is known that vitamin A can be consumed with vitamin E, for the best absorption of the organism of these substances. Also it is compatible with useful vitamins B and D, calcium, zinc and phosphorus.
The lack of zinc in the body has a detrimental effect on the body, and beta-carotene can not convert to vitamin A. It is also contraindicated to combine beta-carotene with alcohol, this kills our liver.
Vitamin A in any case should not be used together with retinoids - it will be detrimental to the body, it will harm tissues and internal organs.
In the modern world at the moment, many drugs invented by mankind, for the protection of the body and filling it with useful vitamins. Also, many drugs that have vitamin A, which help the body with its lack, or for prevention.
But many drugs are saturated with the collection of different types of vitamins, the balance of which destroys the usefulness of each other.
It is worth remembering that it is best to use folk remedies to replenish the antioxidant vitamin A, namely, to consume foods that contain vitamin A. It is more useful to take natural foods than there are tablets. Only when necessary to use pharmaceutical components, and then according to the doctor's order, so as not to cause harm to your body.