Vitamin A (retinol) is crucial for vision, immune function, and skin health, promoting cell growth and collagen production.
Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is a vital nutrient for maintaining healthy vision, supporting immune function, and promoting skin health. It contributes to cell growth and differentiation, and plays a critical role in gene transcription. While beneficial, appropriate dosage is crucial as excessive intake can lead to toxicity. Topical use may result in skin irritation or increased photosensitivity.
Key Information
Inside Body Harmful Score
Outside Body Harmful Score
Common Dosage
300-3000 mcg RAE (Retinol Activity Equivalents) daily, depending on age, gender, and health status.
Source Type
synthetic
Production Process
Retinol is typically synthesized in laboratories through various chemical processes, often involving the modification of beta-carotene or other carotenoids. The synthesis can also involve the creation of specific isomers to optimize bioavailability and stability.
Use Type
BothPotential Benefits
Immune support enhances the body's defense against pathogens by strengthening immune cells, promoting antibody production, and maintaining immune homeostasis. It aims to optimize immune function for a balanced and resilient response to threats.
This benefit aims to improve overall skin health and appearance through increased hydration, reduced inflammation, improved elasticity, and protection from environmental damage. Healthy skin exhibits a smooth texture, even tone, and strong barrier function.
Vision Health focuses on maintaining and improving eyesight through nutrition, regular eye exams, and protection from UV radiation. It supports visual acuity, protects against eye diseases, reduces eye strain, and enhances night vision.
Supports the body's defense against pathogens, enhances immune cell activity, and reduces inflammation. Improved immune function leads to fewer infections and faster recovery.
Supports visual health by reducing age-related decline and protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation. May also reduce eye strain from screen time.
Enhances and maintains healthy vision, particularly in low light, by supporting retinal structure and function. May improve visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and reduce AMD risk.
Skin rejuvenation improves skin health and appearance by reducing wrinkles, improving texture and tone, addressing discoloration, and treating acne. It works by stimulating collagen production, increasing cell turnover, improving hydration, and reducing inflammation.
Possible Side Effects
Liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity) is liver damage induced by substances such as drugs or chemicals, potentially leading to liver failure. Symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, and fatigue, with severe cases possibly fatal.
Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, arising from genetic or environmental factors. Exposure to teratogens during pregnancy, especially the first trimester, poses a significant risk.
Skin irritation involves symptoms like redness, itching, and rashes due to contact with irritants, allergens, or environmental factors. Severity varies based on the cause, individual sensitivity, and affected area; persistent cases may lead to secondary infections.
Photosensitivity is an increased sensitivity to UV radiation, leading to sunburn, rash, or blistering. Reactions can be phototoxic or photoallergic, with symptoms ranging from mild redness to severe blistering and potentially increasing skin cancer risk with prolonged exposure.
Hypervitaminosis A results from excessive vitamin A accumulation, primarily due to high-dose supplements or fortified foods. Symptoms range from mild (fatigue, dry skin) to severe (liver damage, coma).
Scientific Evidence
Relevant research articles and studies on Vitamin A and retinoids including studies in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the Archives of Dermatology.
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