Carotenoids are converted to Vitamin A in our body. Vitamin A can be obtained from dietary sources such as dark leaf vegetables, carrot, sweet potato, peach, orange, apple and other bright colour fruits.

Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight and night vision. It is also needed for bone growth, reproduction and cell division. They can prevent and fight against infections which help to regulate the immune system.

This is achievable by producing white blood cells that wipe out harmful bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A can help lymphocytes to fight against infections more efficiently. Vitamin A promotes healthy surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts which reduce the risks of bacteria infection especially when these linings break down.

This vitamin is also beneficial to the skin and mucuous membranes formation as they function as a barrier to bacteria and viruses (US National institute of health, 2006). The recommendation of vitamin A intake is 1000μg per day for adults (Aparna Oltikar, M.D, 2004).

Many thanks to:
Office of Dietary Supplements
U.S. National Library of Medicine


Both sources are retrived on retrieved on 9 February 2007.