Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin for humans

Vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid) is an important nutrient for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity.

Vitamin A is found almost exclusively in animal products, such as human milk, glandular meats, liver and fish liver oils (especially), egg yolk, whole milk and other dairy products. Pro-vitamin A carotenoids are found in green leafy vegetables (for instance spinach, amaranth and young leaves from various sources), yellow vegetables (for example pumpkin and carrots) and yellow and orange non-citrus fruits (mangoes, apricots or papayas).

The usefulness of vitamin A

• Its presence is key to the processes within the retina, to the maintenance of the mucous membranes (the conjunctiva or white of the eye) and the cornea's surface.
• The epithelia of the skin, lungs, urinary tract and intestine require the presence of vitamin A for their normal structure and hydration.
• The immune system alongside vitamin A works properly against external aggressions.
• The body growth and development (tissues and cells) is complemented by the activity of vitamin A.