Vitamin A

Question 1

Is Vitamin A fat or water soluble?

Answer 1

Fat soluble

Question 2

What are the two forms of Vitamin A?

Answer 2

Retinol (animal)

Carotenoids (plant)

Question 3

What are the cofactors of Vitamin A?

Answer 3

Iron helps vitamin A get absorbed and metabolized by our bodies.
Zinc helps vitamin A move from the liver to other parts of the body where it is needed.

Question 4

How is Vitamin A absorbed in the body?

Answer 4

Vitamin A is absorbed across the gut wall with fats from digestion & stored in the liver
Note. Liver converts carotenoids to retinol based upon what the body. Excess circulates in blood
acting as AO and FR scavengers

Question 5

Which body systems need Vitamin A? [x7]

MURDERS LINC

Answer 5

M -
U - Repair of epithelial cells in bladder
R - Repair of epithelial cells in lungs
D - Repair of epithelial cells in gut and mouth
E - Helps with over-active thyroid
R -
S -
L - Boosts immunity, stimulates lymphocytes, slows aging, anti-oxidant
I - Promotes strong bones, hair, skin & gums, helps removal age spots, skin conditions and prevents scarring
N - Good eyesight
C -

Question 6

Name symptoms of deficiency

Answer 6

M -
U - weak bladder, cystitis, thrush
R - pleurisy, pneumonia
D - Enlarged spleen, abdominal pain, GI disturbances, liver, problems/disease, nausea, vomiting, mouth & stomach ulcers, gum disease, leaky gut, weight loss
E - hyperthyroidism
R -
S -
L - frequent colds, infections & feeling run down
I - small cracks at corners of mouth and lips, hair loss,
itching all over, dry hair, dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, skin lesions, acne, dry flaky skin,
N - poor night vision
C -

Question 7

Food sources of animal and plant Vitamin A (5 of each)

Answer 7

Animal - Fish liver oil, liver, kidney, dairy products, eggs
Plant - Carrots, green, yellow, orange & red veggies, peaches & peppers, garlic, spirulina, chlorella, blue green algae, cayenne pepper, fennel, watercress, parsley, paprika, olive oil, kelp, alfafa, turmeric, lemongrass, juicing

Question 8

Factors that increase requirements for Vitamin A

PEEDM

Answer 8

Physical - injury, hyperthyroidsim*, poor digestion of fats
Environmental - smoking, pollution
Emotional - stress
Dietary - heat, light, oxidisation, alcohol, coffee, high protein diet
Medical - laxatives, antibiotics, contraceptive pill, steroids, statins, fat blocking medications

Question 9

What additional factors need to be considered if someone has hyperthyroidism?

Answer 9

The patient may not be able to convert Carotenoids into Retinol and will therefore need to consider taking Retinol

Question 10

Dosage

Answer 10

A1 – [M] 3000IU, [F] 2333IU & [PF]

Question 11

Which vitamins & minerals should you take with Vitamin A?

Answer 11

Combine with other AO vitamins and minerals as they act as a family (C, D, E, Zn and Sn)