11/01/2017
A
Here are some of the best sources of Vitamin A. For more information on source of Vitamin A, check out my list of the Top Vitamin A Foods.
Beef Liver
3 ounces: 14,363 IU (almost 3x the DV)
Carrots
1 cup raw sliced: 21,384 IU (over 100% DV)
Sweet potato
1 whole: 18,443 IU (over 100% DV)
Kale
1 cup chopped: 6,693 IU (over 100% DV)
Spinach
1 cup raw: 2,813 IU (56% DV)
Romaine Lettuce
1 cup shredded: 4,094 IU (82% DV)
Apricots
1 fruit: 674 IU (13% DV)
Broccoli
1 cup raw: 567 IU (11% DV)
Butter
1 Tbsp: 355 IU (7% DV)
Eggs
1 extra-large: 302 IU (6% DV)
Winter Squash
1 cup, cubes: 514 IU (10% SV)
Cantaloupe Melon
1 medium wedge: 2,334 IU (47% DV)
Sweet Red Peppers
1 cup chopped: 4,665 IU (93% DV)
Tuna Fish
3 ounce filet: 2,142 IU (43% DV)
Mango
1 cup in pieces: 1,785 IU (36% DV)
Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin A
Most people get enough vitamin A from their diets, but if you have a vitamin A deficiency, then your doctor may suggest vitamin A supplements. People with diseases, such as digestive disorders, or very poor diets, may need a supplement in order to get the recommended daily intake on vitamin A. When including the vitamin A that you get from both food and any supplements that you are taking, the recommended dietary allowance (or RDA) for vitamin A is as follows:
Children:
1-3 years old: 300 mcg/day
4-8 years old: 400 mcg/day
9-13 years old: 600 mcg/day
Adult Females:
14 years old and up: 700 mcg/day
When pregnant: 750-770 mcg/day
When breastfeeding: 1,200-1,300 mcg/day
Adult Males:
14 years old and up: 900 mcg/day
Potential Side Effects of Vitamin A
High doses of vitamin A may actually do more harm than good. Consuming too much Vitamin A from supplementation alone, or in combination with other antioxidants, has been associated with birth defects, lower bone density, and liver problems.
Over consumption of vitamin A can lead to jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, and even hair loss. If you are going to consume Vitamin A supplements, make sure to take lower doses, use supplements from food based sources, and consult your doctor. People who drink heavily or have kidney or liver disease also should not take vitamin A supplements without talking to a doctor.
Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include dry skin, joint pain, vomiting, headaches, and confusion. Vitamin A supplements may interact with some birth control pills, blood thinners (like Coumadin), acne medicines (like Accutane), cancer treatments, and many other drugs.
If you take any medicines, make sure to ask your doctor if vitamin A supplements are safe. While vitamin A toxicity can be a problem for our health, it comes from improper use of retinoid (vitamin A)-containing supplements, not from our diet. Simply stated, foods do not contain enough preformed vitamin A to expose us to toxicity-producing amounts, so if you are using supplements that contain vitamin A, look into the amount of vitamin A present and make sure it is appropriate for your gender and age. (3)
Vitamin A Interactions
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, and therefore, needs to be consumed with fat in order to have optimal absorption. A sufficient dietary intake of protein is required for the manufacture of these binding proteins, so inadequate protein intake may result in vitamin A deficiency.
Studies have shown that the absorption, metabolism, hepatic release, transport, and tissue utilization of vitamin A may depend, in part, on an adequate zinc status. A study on animals found that a zinc deficiency could both precipitate health consequences associated with both zinc deficiency and, through its gatekeeping roles, impose a secondary vitamin A deficiency. Zinc deficiency might also limit the health and nutritional effect of vitamin A interventions on issues like night blindness.
Recent studies suggest that the results of a vitamin D deficiency may be worsened by high supplemental intake of vitamin A.