Vitamin A is a group of fat-soluble compounds that play an important role in eyesight, skin health, and our immune system. It comes from two forms—performed vitamin A found in animal products such as liver, fish, meat, and dairy products and provitamin A carotenoids found in leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomato products, fruits, and some vegetable oils. But what makes this essential vitamin so important for our eyesight? Let’s take a look!
Vitamin A plays an essential role in the formation of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment found in the rods of our eyes. This pigment helps us to see at night or in dimly lit conditions. Without adequate amounts of vitamin A in your diet, you may experience difficulty seeing at night or after being exposed to sudden changes from bright to low light.
Vitamin A also helps protect the eye from infection by keeping the cells on the surface of your eyes healthy. Furthermore, it helps reduce inflammation throughout the body and keeps your eyelids lubricated—both of which can help prevent dry eye syndrome. And because it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals associated with eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 900 mcg for men over 18 years old and 700 mcg for women 18 years old or older. If you’re pregnant or nursing mothers are advised to increase their intake to 1,300 mcg daily. Eating a balanced diet rich in foods like fruits and vegetables will help you get enough vitamin A into your diet each day without having to rely on supplements.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient with many benefits related to overall health but especially when it comes to eyesight. By eating a balanced diet full of foods rich in performed vitamin A such as liver, fish oil, meat, dairy products as well as lots of vegetables that contain provitamin A carotenoids you should be able to get all the daily recommended intake you need for good vision health. So take care of those peepers and make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin A!