Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin A helps in vision, bone growth, reproduction, growth of epithelium (cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body), and fighting infections. It is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils). Vitamin A is found in liver, egg yolks, and whole milk dairy products from animals and in fish oils. It can also be made in the body from a substance found in some fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupes, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin A is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called retinol.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is required for a number of bodily functions. This vitamin is needed to maintain good vision and a healthy immune system, as well as being essential for growth and development.

Vitamin A History

Vitamin A Food Sources

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A Toxicity

Vitamin A Functions

Latest Vitamin A News and Research

Why measles is back in the U.S. and what doctors must know now

Measles is making a troubling comeback in the U.S., driven by declining vaccination rates and rising vaccine hesitancy. Pediatric infectious disease experts provide clinical guidance to help healthcare providers recognize, manage, and prevent measles in today’s outbreak-prone environment.

14 Apr 2025

Scientists unveil dynamic structure of protein key to vision

Scientists have for the first time looked deep into the protein structure that may determine our vision - and discovered that it is much more dynamic than previously thought.

4 Apr 2025

Breakthrough research identifies small peptide for psoriasis treatment

Birmingham scientists have shown that a sequence of just three amino acids may reduce the severity of psoriasis, when applied topically in an emollient cream.

3 Apr 2025

Not all Chinese food is equal: study ranks cuisines by inflammatory potential

Researchers analyzed 980 dishes from eight major Chinese cuisines to evaluate their nutritional profiles and inflammatory potential using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII).

31 Mar 2025

UTA expert discusses the latest developments of measles outbreak in Texas

Measles is a highly contagious disease that was declared eliminated from the U.S. by the World Health Organization 25 years ago due to the success of vaccination efforts.

28 Mar 2025

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The ax falls at HHS

As had been rumored for weeks, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a plan to reorganize the department. It involves the downsizing of its workforce, which formerly was roughly 80,000 people, by a quarter and consolidating dozens of agencies that were created and authorized by Congress.

27 Mar 2025

Study shows how autism-linked picky eating causes serious vitamin deficiencies

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a high risk of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamins A, D, B12, and calcium, due to extreme food selectivity. These deficiencies can lead to severe health issues like rickets, vision loss, and immune dysfunction, even in children with normal body weight.

13 Mar 2025

In Trump’s team, supplement fans find kindred spirits in search of better health

President Donald Trump's health officials want you to take your vitamins.

13 Mar 2025

Why do some people need supplements and others don’t? New review explains

New research in The New England Journal of Medicine reviews current knowledge on micronutrient requirements, deficiencies, and interventions. It highlights the need for targeted supplementation and calls for advanced research to better diagnose and treat hidden deficiencies.

9 Mar 2025

Study finds Pacific children struggling with micronutrient intake and obesity

Children ages two to eight years across 11 Pacific jurisdictions (Alaska, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawai'i, Marshall Islands, and Palau) are not meeting daily recommended intakes for key micronutrients, either consuming too much or too little.

6 Mar 2025

Daily mango consumption may improve insulin sensitivity in overweight or obese adults

New research has uncovered a potential gamechanger for improving cardiometabolic health: fresh mangos.

5 Mar 2025

New study shows why breastfeeding and fortified foods must go hand in hand

Food fortification and breastfeeding play a crucial role in combating malnutrition during a child's first 1,000 days, but their success depends on improved monitoring, policy support, and public-private partnerships.

4 Mar 2025

Children with ARFID at higher risk for long-term health conditions

Children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) have an elevated risk of developing psychiatric and physical conditions, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in JAMA Pediatrics reports.

17 Feb 2025

New compounds show promise in treating retinitis pigmentosa

Two new compounds may be able to treat retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited eye diseases that cause blindness.

15 Jan 2025

Can a carnivore diet meet all your nutrient needs?

Researchers explore the micronutrient composition and sufficiency of four versions of the carnivore diet as compared to national nutrient reference values.

5 Jan 2025

Flavonoid kaempferol could offer natural relief for food allergies

Allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies have been increasing in frequency over the last few years.

16 Dec 2024

Gaza completes second round of polio vaccination campaign despite conflict barriers

The second round of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip was completed yesterday, with an overall 556 774 children under the age of 10 being vaccinated with a second dose of polio vaccine, and 448 425 children between 2- to 10-years-old receiving vitamin A, following the three phases conducted in the last weeks.

6 Nov 2024

Polio vaccination campaign set to resume amidst challenges in Gaza

A third phase of the polio vaccination campaign is set to begin tomorrow in part of the northern Gaza Strip after being postponed from 23 October 2024 due to lack of access and assured, comprehensive humanitarian pauses, intense bombardment, and mass evacuation orders.

4 Nov 2024