15 Best Vitamin A supplements
- Formula for mucous membranes and immune system
- With 500 mcg alpha and 600 mcg beta carotene
-100-tabletten.jpg "Solgar - Vitamin A 5000 IU (1502 mcg) 100 tablets")
- Contains 5000 IU (1502 mcg) of vitamin A as retinol palmitate from vegetable source
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Contains 1200 mcg retinol acetate from a vegetal source
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Contains 7 mg beta-carotene per softgel
- From natural algae source (D. Salina)
- Contains 3021 IU of vitamin A per softgel
- Contains 202 mg EPA and 185 mg DHA per softgel
- Contains 375 mcg (1250 IU) of vitamin A per softgel
- Contains 3.4 µg (135 IU) of vitamin D per softgel
- Contains the complete carotenoid complex
- Contains only natural ingredients
- Cod and halibut liver oil
- Combination of fish oil (cod liver), vitamin A and vitamin D3
- Formula for the skin
- Contains natural beta-carotene, vitamin C, biotin and pomegranate extract
- High dose of vitamin A, 5000 IU per capsule
- Contains retinol acetate from plant source
- Contains 1200 mcg of vitamin A per capsule
- Vitamin A in retinyl palmitate form
- Vitamin A in the form of Beta-carotene
- Highly dosed
- Cod liver oil
- 1000 mcg vitamin A and 10 mcg vitamin D per softgel
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that we can make ourselves to a limited extent from beta-carotene. However, it is recommended to get a small amount of preformed vitamin A as well. Read more or choose from our vitamin A range.
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A (scientific name: retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin. Humans can synthesize this vitamin themselves, from beta-carotene also called provitamin A. But this conversion is laborious (less than 10% on average), and proper conversion depends on several factors such as personal needs, the presence of certain enzymes, intestinal health, bile production and the amount of dietary fat in the intestines.
Direct intake of is therefore important for most people. The problem, however, is that vitamin A can only be found in animal products. Vegans or vegetarians thus rely on intake of beta-carotene.
It was "discovered" in 1913 by 2 American scientists (McCollum and Davis) and in 1947 it was first synthesized by 2 Dutch scientists, (van Dorp and Arens). However, there are already medical and scientific descriptions from the 18th and 19th centuries linking vitamin A deficiencies with their consequences.
Today, vitamin A is an easily manufactured substance and is readily and cheaply available. However, this is not true in developing countries where shortages are still widespread. For an aid organization like Vitamin Angels, preventing vitamin A deficiency is still a spearhead activity.
Safety
Because vitamin A is fat-soluble, excessive intake can lead to poisoning. The safe upper limit is 3,000 micrograms. The Reference Intake (RI) is 800 micrograms. RI indicates how much an average adult needs. With beta-carotene, there is no danger of poisoning: the body does not convert more beta-carotene into vitamin A than is needed.
Food sources
Vitamin A is found mainly in liver, fatty fish and egg yolks. 100 grams of beef liver contains a very high dose, about 36000 micrograms. 100 grams of smoked eel contains about 1400 micrograms. So with beef liver you have to be careful and definitely do not eat it every day.
Betacarotene is found in colored vegetables, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, carrots, olives, tomatoes, apricots, squash, cress, parsley, kale and spinach.
Effects
The discovery of vitamin A was linked to research on the effects of deficiencies of this substance on the eyes. Still almost everyone knows it is good for the eyes (particularly adjusting vision at dusk and helping with dry eyes).
Less well known are its other functions: good resistance and healthy skin, hair and gums.
Immune system
Vitamin A plays a role in the formation of immune cells in the nose, lung tissue and gastrointestinal tract. These immune cells increase resistance to outside influences.
Skin, hair and gums
Vitamin A plays a role in the formation of certain skin cells that are important for skin health. These same cells are also found in hair and gums.
Explanation of dosage
The dosage of vitamin A products is sometimes a bit confusing. Some products use IE or IU (International Units/Units) in the naming, while others give the dosage in micrograms (mcg). Also, RAE* (retinol activity equivalent) is sometimes used. 1 RAE is equivalent to 1 microgram. The table below shows the relationship between dosing methods:
| IE/IU | mcg | RAE* |
| 3.3 | 1 | 1 |
| 330 | 100 | 100 |
| 4,000 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| 5,000 | 1,500 | 1,500 |