Vitamin A

What is Vitamin A?

Ah, the old 'carrots help you see in the dark' line - we've all heard it thousands of times, but is there anything in it? Well, yes! Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.

What does Vitamin A do?

Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. Vitamin A plays a variety of roles, including helping to convert the light that hits your eye into an electrical signal that goes to your brain. It is a component of 'rhodopsin', a pigment in your retina that is very sensitive to light and allows your eyes to adapt to the dark. This is why vitamin A has long been linked with seeing in dim light.

Vitamin A doesn't just play a role in vision. It contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal mucous membranes, and researchers have reviewed its role in skin and hair. They have also looked at vitamin A's role in the skin's own immune defences and the skin microbiome, and studied oral vitamin A in relation to the skin.

Vitamin A also contributes to the normal function of the immune system. It plays a role in forming the mucus barriers that trap bacteria, and in the production of white blood cells. Vitamin A status has also been studied in relation to respiratory and digestive health.

As you can see, carrots (and other vegetable sources of vitamin A) do so much more than just help you see in the dark. In fact, the old line used by your parents to try and persuade you to eat carrots probably undersells the importance of this crucial vitamin.

Form: Retinol and retinyl acetate.

Learn more about the '7 key nutrients to support your eye health' and 'Tips for better eye health'. You may also enjoy reading 'Best foods for acne' and 'Natural ways to decrease signs of Eczema'.

Why it's in Daily Multivitamin

Vitamin A is needed for immunity, vision and normal mucous membranes. A direct source of Vitamin A is preferred, as up to 40% of the population cannot produce the correct enzymes, β-carotene 15, 15’-monooxygenase, which are required for the conversion of carotenoids into retinol.¹

Why it's in Screen Eyes™

Vitamins are essential for maintaining eye health and for vision preservation.

Retinol is essential for the maintenance of photoreceptor function in the retina. A deficiency in retinol can lead to night blindness and an increased risk of xerophthalmia, a condition that can cause corneal damage and vision loss.²

Why it's in Kid's ProMulti

Vitamin A regulates immune cell differentiation, particularly in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.³ In paediatric populations, subclinical deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.⁴ Retinol is also critical for visual cycle function; deficiency can cause xerophthalmia and irreversible night blindness. A 2022 meta-analysis found global prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency in children under 5 to be ~29%.⁵ Oxidative stress to the cornea, exacerbated by high screen use in children, may increase demand for adequate antioxidant protection.

Why it's in Skin Saviour®

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports skin health. Retinoids, the active form of Vitamin A, are widely recognised for their anti-ageing and acne-relieving properties.

Epithelial cell differentiation: Retinoids regulate keratinocyte differentiation,⁶ preventing hyperkeratosis and promoting a smoother, more even skin texture.

Increased cell turnover: By enhancing desquamation (shedding of dead skin cells), retinoids help treat conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and hyperpigmentation.⁷

Collagen stimulation: Vitamin A upregulates fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis, reducing fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin elasticity and firmness.⁸

Sebum regulation: Retinoids decrease sebaceous gland activity, reducing oil production and preventing clogged pores.⁹

Hyperpigmentation treatment: Vitamin A inhibits melanin synthesis, helping to lighten dark spots and promote an even skin tone.¹⁰

Why it's in Women's ProMulti

Fat-soluble vitamins, specifically Vitamins A, D, E, and K, play an essential role in maintaining various physiological functions and overall health in women. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, these vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fats and can be stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, allowing for a sustained supply. Each vitamin serves unique functions.

Vitamin A has two primary forms: retinol (preformed Vitamin A) and provitamin A carotenoids (e.g. beta-carotene). Individuals with a 2 beta-carotene 15,15’-monooxygenase (BCMO1) genetic mutation (up to 45% of the population) struggle to convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A¹¹ and should, therefore, take a Vitamin A food supplement and not rely on beta-carotene alone. Retinol is essential for the synthesis of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment in the retina that enables vision in low-light conditions. When light hits rhodopsin, it triggers a biochemical cascade that results in visual signal transduction. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of retinol, binds to nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). This binding regulates gene transcription involved in cellular growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, affecting processes such as embryonic development and immune response. Vitamin A enhances the production and activity of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, essential for immune defence.¹²