Does taking vitamin A cause any side effects?

Table of Contents:

1. does the intake of vitamin A cause side effects?

2. how much vitamin A should the human organism take in daily?

3. foods with a high vitamin A content

4. vitamin A in the form of food supplements

5. conclusion

2. How much vitamin A should the human organism take in daily?

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has determined how high the daily requirement of the vitamin should be. Men should take about 1 milligram and women 0.8 milligrams of vitamin A per day. Pregnant women have a higher requirement, since they must also supply the unborn child. From the fourth month onwards, they should consume about 1.1 milligrams of vitamin A per day. The daily requirement of nursing mothers is even 1.5 milligrams. In general, one should always keep in mind that age, weight and size always play a significant role. Furthermore, factors such as diet and lifestyle should also be taken into consideration.

3. foods with a high vitamin A content

Large amounts of vitamin A are found in animal foods (e.g. liver). Low amounts of vitamin A, on the other hand, are found in foods such as butter, milk and fish. The precursor of vitamin A (beta-carotene) can only be found in plant foods.

Foods with a high beta-carotene content are: (vitamin A content per 100g) :

Liver approx. 22 mg / 73 i.E.

Kale approx. 9 mg / 30 i.E.

Carrot approx. 9 mg / 30 i.U.

liver sausage approx. 8.5 mg / 28 i.U.

Parsley approx. 6 mg / 20 i.U.

Dried apricot approx. 6 mg / 20 i.U.

Savoy cabbage approx. 5 mg / 17 i.E

Dill approx. 5 mg / 17 i.E

Palm oil approx. 4.5 mg / 15 i.E

Lamb's lettuce approx. 4 mg / 13 i.E

4. vitamin A in the form of food supplements

If you want to increase a vitamin A level that is too low with a food supplement, you should definitely pay attention to the form of the active ingredient and its origin. Vitamin A capsules are particularly suitable for increasing the vitamin A value. They are very well tolerated and are utilized by the body to a high degree. The preparation should also not contain any chemical additives such as microcrystalline cellulose. If you buy a preparation from Germany, you can be sure that the product has also been produced safely and is of high quality.

5. conclusion: Does the intake of vitamin A bring side effects with it?

Taking vitamin A does not cause any side effects. You should always stick to the recommended daily amount and not overdo it. Consuming vitamin A in very high amounts over a long period of time can bring side effects. These include nausea, vomiting and irritability. Taking vitamin A and medications should always be discussed with a doctor to avoid interactions.

Further reading:

• Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND)-Vitamin A Review.
• Vitamin A and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review
  
• Perspective: Integration to Implementation (I-to-I) and the Micronutrient Forum-Addressing the Safety and Effectiveness of Vitamin A Supplementation
  
• Vitamin A Absorption Efficiency Determined by Compartmental Analysis of Postprandial Plasma Retinyl Ester Kinetics in Theoretical Humans
  

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