Vitamin A
In pure form, Vitamin A can only be obtained from animals. In carotene form, it is available from vegetables. Vitamin A is necessary for the metabolism of every cell of the body, for the growth of the body and essential for good eye-sight. Vitamin A is poorly absorbed during diarrhea. Absorption is also decreased with intestinal roundworm, hookworm and Giardia lamblia infestations. Oral administration of non-absorbable mineral oils, like liquid paraffin, dissolves vitamin A which is then excreted unabsorbed.
Vitamin A is absorbed as retinyl ester along with fat from the proximal small intestine. The absorption is more rapid in men than in women.
Its deficiency can lead to night blindness, dryness of skin, teeth troubles, loss of weight, kidney stones in the urinary tract, swelling of the body, anaemia and respiratory infections. Vitamin A deficiency is seldom seen in isolation. A child supplemented with vitamin A also needs protection from nutritional deficiency. Green leafy foods are rich sources, not only of carotene but also of vitamin C, iron, folic acid and calcium. All these are deficient among developing country populations.
Vitamin A Sources : Green leafy vegetables, cabbage and yellow fruits.
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