Importance and Natural Source of Vitamin "A"
Vitamin A Known as anti-opathalmic ,
Vitamin A is essential for growth and vitality.
It builds up resistance to respiratory and other infections and works mainly on the eyes , lungs , stomach and intestines. It prevents eye diseases and plays a vital role in nourishing the skin and hair.It helps to prevent premature ageing and senillity , increases life expectancy and extends youthfulness.
The main natural sources of Vitamin A are fish liver oil , liver , whole milk , curds , pure ghee , butter , cheese , cream and egg yolk , green leafy and certain yellow root vegetables such as spinach , lettuce , turnip , beets , carrot , cabbage and tomato and ripe fruits such as prunes , mangoes ,pappaya , apricots , peaches , almonds and other dry fruits. A prolonged deficinecy of vitamin A may result in inflammation of the eyes , poor vision frequent colds , night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections , lack of appetite and vigor , defective teeth and gums and skin disorders.
The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A is 5 ,000 international units for adults and 2 ,600 to 4 ,000 international units for children. When taken in large therapeutic doses , which are usually 25 ,000 to 50 ,000 units a day , it is highly beneficial in the treatment of head and chest colds , sinus trouble , influenza and other infectious diseases . It is also valuable in curing night blindness and other eye diseases as well as many stubborn skin disorders. This vitamin can be given upto 1 ,00 ,000 units a day for a limited period of four weeks under doctor’s supervision.
In a recent year-long study , huge doses of vitamin A given twice a year reduced death by about 30 per cent among Indonesian children. This has raised the hope in the fight against a significant cause of childhood mortality in developing countries.
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