Functions of vitamin A

Hello learners,

I would like to share with you, today, a summary of functions of vitamin A. I hope it will help the students who are currently have a course module about food and nutrition of college and varsity students. I am a medical student and my sir made me to write this notes.

Here are they

1. Helps in vision -

   Helps in synthesizing visual pigments like rods and cons.

   -rods are involved in dim light vision.

   -cons are involved in bright light and color vision

   *dark adaptation time is increased in vitamin A deficiency

   (MNEMONIC:

   Cons=Color vision remember c for color vision

   RoD=Dim light

   Remember d for dim light vision)

2. Regulation of protein synthesis

   (Retinol and retinoic acid ) and thus are involved in cell growth and differenciation.

3. Essential to maintain healthy epithelial tissue .

4. Necessary for the synthesis of certain glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides.

5. Necessary for normal reproduction.

6. Essential for the maintenance of proper immune system.

7. Required for synthesis of cholesterol.

8. Beta carotene functions as antioxidant and reduce the risk of cancer initiated by free radicals and strong oxidants.

   (Note:oxidants :oxide,peroxide,H2O2 et.)