Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is incredibly important for both your internal and external health. Not having enough Vitamin A in your diet can cause issues such as hyperkeratosis and acne—both of which aren’t very pleasant to deal with. While a deficiency is considered rare, it’s still important to recognize your daily intake of the foods you include in your diet. Foods that are great sources of it are fortified cereals, carrots, spinach, broccoli, mango, squash, dairy products—the list goes on!
If you’re unsure of why you should be monitoring your intake or recognizing when you might be running a bit low, below are a few benefits of adding more Vitamin A to your diet.
Helps Support Normal Immune Function
One of the biggest benefits of Vitamin A is that it helps to support your immune system and the way it functions. It is involved in the production of white blood cells and the production of mucous barriers which protect against infections. Without enough of it, your body is left susceptible to a whole host of problems! This is why it’s important to incorporate the right fruits and vegetables that will offer your body antioxidant properties and enough nutrition for normal immune function.
Helps Have a Healthy Skin
If you’re having trouble maintaining the health of your skin, look no further than Vitamin A. While not a cure for chronic acne by any means, Vitamin A has been linked to a healthier skin complexion. Its anti-inflammatory properties work to fight free radicals in the body. So, the next time you find yourself dealing with a few breakouts or uneven skin, consider adding some Vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, broccoli or squash to your daily diet to help support your skin from the inside out.
Helps Maintain Night Vision
Aging causes a whole host of issues, but particularly when it comes to eyesight and night vision. A common symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is reduced vision in darkness, which is due to the lack of rhodopsin in the retina. This pigment is sensitive to light and without it, it can make night vision incredibly difficult.
A way to help support your night vision is by incorporating foods with Vitamin A in your daily diet, such as carrots, spinach, kale and sweet potatoes. These foods are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to Vitamin A. If you’re finding it hard to eat all these veggies on a regular basis, consider adding a Dose TANGO juice to your routine! (it has more than 200% of the recommended daily intake)
Helps Support Tooth Health
If you’re looking for any more reasons to add Vitamin A to your diet, then consider doing it for the health of your teeth and gums. Orange veggies are all rich in Vitamin A, which may help strengthen tooth enamel. Keratin, the protein that creates enamel, uses Vitamin A in the process. Furthermore, it helps maintain your mucus membranes, which can help prevent dry mouth and support the health of your gums.
Including all the vitamins in your daily diet is important, but you also should stay knowledgeable about their effects and benefits. Vitamin A is an important vitamin for maintaining the normal function of your immune system and overall wellness, but don’t overconsume it (high intakes could be harmful). So, it’s important to always be aware of how much you need and if you’re not getting enough. A simple way to add this vitamin to your daily routine is with a Dose juice or smoothie, which can help provide you with some much-needed nutrients and a morning boost!