Vitamins
Vitamin A
Essential for vision, immunity, and cellular communication.
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.
Dosage
RDA: 900mcg RAE for men, 700mcg RAE for women
Optimal for longevity: Longevity researchers recommend meeting the RDA primarily through a mix of preformed vitamin A and carotenoid-rich foods.
Deficiency signs
~46% of US adults have inadequate vitamin A intake from food alone
- Night blindness or difficulty seeing in dim light
- Dry eyes or dry skin
- Frequent infections
- Slow wound healing
Top food sources
Research
Sommer A, Vyas KS (2012). A global clinical view on vitamin A and carotenoids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(5), 1204S-1206S.
Track your vitamin a intake
Biohack logs vitamin a alongside 22 other longevity nutrients in every meal.
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