Vitamins are essential nutrients for your well-being, and a deficiency of any one will cause physiological symptoms.
For the next few days, I'm going to devote multiple blog posts to Vitamins A, E, K, D, B(s)and C. I want to educate y'all on the basics of these vitamins. We won't get too technical - I would like y'all to be able to walk away learning SOMETHING about each vitamin.
Today, we'll discuss VITAMIN A
Vitamin A is from a family of substance called retinoids. Retinoids include retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid.
Functions of Vitamin A:
HEALTHY EYESAs you read this blog, light is bouncing off the page. Your eyes receive the light and translate the light into images. The light enters through the cornea in your eye to the back of your eye to the macula and retina (refer to picture).
Vitamin A is a component of two light sensitive proteins called rhodopsin and iodopsin (rods and cones). Vitamin A helps your eyes adjust from dark places to sunny bright places easily.
REPRODUCTION
During the early stages of pregnancy, vitamin A signals cells to differentiate into tissues that form the baby's body. Vitamin A plays a role in the development of the lungs, heart, eyes, and ears.
IMMUNITY
Vitamin A is important for keeping your skin and the muccous membranes of your lungs, intestinal tract, and kidneys healthy and sound. If the linings become compromised than bacteria and viruses can make you sick!
This vitamin is also good for your skin. Your skin is another barrier to infection.
Lastly, vitamin A works with your immune system to create white blood cells that fight any foreign invaders.
Where can you find Vitamin A?The most abundant sources of vitamin A comes from organ meats (liver), milk, cereals, cheese, and eggs. Carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes are also good sources.
Some tips on adding vitamin A to your diet:
1. Dunk baby carrots in a tablespoon of low-fat ranch dressing.
2.Keep dried apricots in your purse (or bag).
3.Add baby spinach to a lunchtime salad.
4. Bake sweet potatoes rather than white potatoes.
Thanks for the tip! I joined a gym and have a couple of sessions with a trainer!!!! Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're posting about vitamins, because I want to be able to say "eat your (fill in the blank), it helps your (eyes, muscles, heart, etc.)" like Mom used to say. Remember what she said about bananas and green beans? That will come in handy in about 13 years.
ReplyDelete