Vitamin A

Aka: Vitamin A, Retinol, Retinoic Acid

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II. Physiology: Function

  1. General
    1. Vitamin A (Retinol) is derived from ingested retinyl esters or pro-CarotenoidProteins (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin)
    2. Most of Vitamin A (90%) is stored in the liver as retinyl esters and released as needed
  2. Vision
    1. Cis-Retinal is sythesized from Vitamin A (Retinol)
    2. Cis-Retinal combines with an opsin Protein to form Retinal photoreceptor pigments (rhodopsin in rods, iodopsin in cones)
  3. Epithelial Cell function (skin, mucosa)
    1. Helps maintain skin and mucosa integrity and innate imunity
    2. Roche (2021) Nutrients 13(2):302 +PMID: 33494277 [PubMed]
  4. Bone growth
    1. Promotes Osteoblast activity and inhibits Osteoclast activity
    2. Yee (2021) Molecules 26(6):1757 +PMID: 33801011 [PubMed]
  5. Glycoprotein synthesis
    1. Vitamin A appears to be a Cofactor in Glycoprotein synthesis

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Vitamin A Deficiency
    1. Night blindness
    2. Dry Cornea
    3. Dry Skin
  2. Vitamin A Toxicity or Overdose
    1. Vomiting
    2. Headache
    3. Altered Mental Status
    4. Alopecia
    5. Peeling skin

IV. Preparations: Sources

  1. Animal products
    1. Liver (beef liver, cod liver oil)
    2. Chicken meat
    3. Egg yolk
    4. Fish oil
  2. Dairy products
    1. Whole milk
    2. Butter
    3. Margarine fortified with Vitamin A
  3. Dark green leafy vegetables
  4. Yellow-orange fruits and vegetables
    1. Apricot
    2. Cantaloupe
    3. Carrots
    4. Oranges
    5. Papayas
    6. Pumpkin
    7. Squash

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

vitamin a (on 7/20/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
VITAMIN A AND D OINTMENT Generic OTC $0.01 per gram
FPNotebook does not benefit financially from showing this medication data or their pharmacy links. This information is provided only to help medical providers and their patients see relative costs. Insurance plans negotiate lower medication prices with suppliers. Prices shown here are out of pocket, non-negotiated rates. See Needy Meds for financial assistance information. GoodRx is another tool for finding lower drug prices.

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