Vitamin A And Vitamin B

Vitamin A Sources for Vitamin A are fruit and vegetables containing yellow, orange and dark green pigments, known as carotenoids (Beta-carotene). Intake is regulated by body and there is no over dosage. Animal sources are milk, butter and eggs as retinyl esters and it is readily absorbed. Its over dosage can occur.

It is a powerful antioxidant, plays an essential role in vision, particularly night vision, normal bone and tooth development, reproduction, and the health of skin and mucous membranes (the mucus-secreting layer that lines body regions such as the respiratory tract) and has a protective chemical that may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Its deficiency causes night blindness, dryness of cornea and skin, lowers the immunity to infectious diseases, increases the risk of developing respiratory and abdominal infections, decreases growth rate and slows down bone development.

Excess vitamin A can give systemic upsets, lung cancer, and osteoporosis and in pregnancy, can cause birth defects.

Vitamin B is a complex of several vitamins Thiamine B1 Found in green peas, spinach, liver, nuts, beans, legumes bananas, soybeans, whole-grain, yeast and unpolished rice, Thiamine B1 is essential for normal growth and development and helps to maintain proper functioning of the heart, the nervous and digestive systems, and helps the body convert carbohydrates and fat into energy. The most visible signs of its deficiency are seen during malnutrition and in alcoholism.

Riboflavin (B2) Food sources for riboflavin are milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables, liver, yeast, almonds and soybeans. It aids in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It is required for red blood cell formation, antibody production, regulating thyroid activity and for regulating human growth and reproduction. It is essential for healthy skin, nails, hair growth and general good health.

It helps in the prevention of many types of eye disorders, controls itching or burning sensations in eyes and abnormal sensitivity to the light. Riboflavin deficiency is visible through red lips, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, mouth ulcers, cracks at the corners of the mouth, sore throat, dry and scaling skin, fluid in the mucous membranes, anaemia, and eyes may become bloodshot, itchy, watery and sensitive to bright light.

Niacin (nicotinic acid) - vitamin B3 Sources are liver, heart, kidney, fish, milk, brewer yeast, eggs, broccoli, asparagus, avocadoes, leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, dates, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and mushrooms. It plays essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. Deficiency causes pellagra (diarrhea, dermatitis, sensitivity to light, mental confusion dementia, and even death), whereas mild deficiency slows down the metabolism, causing decreased tolerance to cold. Excess may cause flushing of skin, dry skin and indigestion.