Vitamins

Vitamin A

Essential for vision, immunity, and cellular communication.

~46% of US adults have inadequate vitamin A intake from food alone

Why it matters for longevity

Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, reproduction, and cellular communication. It exists as preformed retinol (from animal sources) and provitamin A carotenoids like beta-carotene (from plants). Adequate vitamin A is critical for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucosal barriers, your first line of defense against infection. Deficiency remains the leading cause of preventable blindness in children globally.

How much you need

RDA

900mcg RAE for men, 700mcg RAE for women

Optimal

Longevity researchers recommend meeting the RDA primarily through a mix of preformed vitamin A and carotenoid-rich foods.

Signs you might be low

  • Night blindness or difficulty seeing in dim light
  • Dry eyes or dry skin
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow wound healing

Best food sources

FoodPer serving
Beef liver (3 oz)6,582mcg RAE
Sweet potato (1 medium)1,403mcg RAE
Carrots, raw (1/2 cup)459mcg RAE
Spinach, cooked (1/2 cup)573mcg RAE
Cantaloupe (1/2 cup)135mcg RAE

Key research

Sommer A, Vyas KS (2012). A global clinical view on vitamin A and carotenoids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(5), 1204S-1206S.

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