A

Vitamin A

One term for a group of related compounds that are integral to eye health.

Vitamin A

A generic term for a group of organic compounds that have a protective role in eye health.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. Vitamin A also helps your heart, lungs, and other organs work properly.

Health Benefits

Essential for eye health: Vitamin A helps you see in low light, and also slows the age-related decline of eyesight.

Potent antioxidant: Provitamin A carotenoids such as beta carotene, alpha carotene, and beta cryptoxanthin are precursors of vitamin A and have antioxidant properties. Carotenoids protect your body from free radicals — highly reactive molecules that can harm your body by creating oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline.

Vital for fertility and fetal development: is integral to the health of pregnant people and their developing babies, as well as people who are trying to become pregnant.

Boosts your immune system.

Why is Vitamin A important?

Vitamin A is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the skin, the linings of your urinary tract, lungs, and digestive system. These barriers help support your immune system. Vitamin A also supports white blood cell formation, which plays a role in immune function.