Vitamin A (Retinol)

Short Description
Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays essential roles. in vision, growth, and development … of vitamin A is taken in retinol activity equivalents (RAE). …

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Content
HYG-5551-05
Human Nutrition, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
Vitamin A (Retinol)
This fact sheet is one in a series containing information to
help you select foods that provide adequate daily amounts
of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The Dietary Guidelines
Advisory Committee just released the Dietary Guidelines
for Americans 2005 that convey the following nine major
messages concerning these topics:
?Adequate nutrients within calorie needs
?Weight management
?Physical activity
?Food groups to encourage: fruits and vegetables, whole
grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products
?Fat
?Carbohydrates
?Sodium and potassium
?Alcoholic beverages
?Food safety
What is the importance of vitamin A?
Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays essential roles
in vision, growth, and development; the development and
maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes;
immune functions; and reproduction.
How much do you need?
Vitamin A is also called retinol. Measurement of the amount
of vitamin A is taken in retinol activity equivalents (RAE).
Carotene, an orange pigment found in food, is split by the body
to become two active units of vitamin A. This is also important
when calculating the amount of…