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

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

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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