Vitamin A – Your Immune System’s Best Friend

Vitamin A is my favorite nutrient. I carry a small bottle with me whenever I travel. At the first sign of something, (like that little sticky feeling in the back of the throat), I start taking my vitamin A. The reason for this approach is that vitamin A goes straight to the thymus gland and helps nourish the T-cells. Now I have an army to go out and do battle with an invading force. I take my A every hour to support my immune system in fighting.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient, meaning that it must be supplied to the body. It is a fat-soluble nutrient that is important for the healthy formation of bones, teeth and skin and for the maintenance of the outer layer of tissues and organs. The mucus membranes are the first line of defense for the body, so that makes vitamin A of utmost importance to the defense of the body.

It promotes growth and vitality and is necessary during pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin A is necessary for the eyes and night vision. It is good for the growth and repair of body tissues and for healthy hair.

Knowing the importance of vitamin A can help you to understand what the results might be of too little in the system, such as defective teeth and gums, allergies, sinus trouble, loss of smell, dry hair and skin, retarded growth, susceptibility to infections, eye irritations and night blindness.

BETA-CAROTENE is a great way to get your Vitamin A for a very important reason. Even though beta-Carotene is only half as active as preformed Vitamin A (the kind from fish liver oil), it is non-toxic. The body converts beta-Carotene into vitamin A only as it is needed. It is one of the antioxidant nutrients much like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium. As an antioxidant, it has the ability to lessen the damaging effects of free radicals and the damage that would otherwise be caused to the body due to free radicals.

How much Vitamin A are you taking on a daily basis? Are you experiencing any issues associated with low A intake?