Vitamin A

The reasons that I take Vitamin A from fish oil.


Recommended dosage - 10,000 IU / Current dose:  10,000 IU


Reasons to take it (pcos):  maintenance of healthy skin and hormone balance, One of the lesser known facts about vitamin A is that it contributes to the development of sperm cells in males and eggs in women.


Reasons to take it (thyroid):  Individuals with low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) have a reduced ability to change beta-carotene into true vitamin A.  Vitamin A-deficient cattle and sheep show degeneration of the area of the pituitary gland where the TSH is synthesized.  Vitamin A intake also influences the thyroid gland in another way. Sufficient vitamin A -- not beta-carotene in this instance -- must be present for the thyroid gland to absorb enough iodine, upon which it depends for proper function.


Reasons to take it (endo):  Women with excessive blood flow during the menstrual cycle caused by endometrial implants or adhesion in the abdomen found to have low levels of vitamin A in there bloodstream. Together used with vitamin E will help to relieve menstrual bleeding and keep hormone balance in the body. Beta carotene is another form of vitamin A that also helps to enhance the immune system and protect against growth of endometriosis.


Warnings:  Symptoms of overdose include:  skin turning orange, nausea, hair loss, enlarged liver and spleen.  Higher than the RDA amount can cause birth defects if taken around conception.


Food Sources:  Animal sources - better for me - liver, milk, eggs
Plant sources - beta carotene - carrot, spinach, kale, cantaloupe, spinach, apricot, papaya, mango, oatmeal, peas, tomatoes, peaches, peppers.


My conclusions:  I am taking a good amount of Vit A from a good source.  Future considerations may be to take a fermented cod liver oil to get the right amount of A and D in a very usable format.