Description

Vitamin A & D : Strengthens the immune system and builds strong bones

• Helps balance blood sugar
• Maintains healthy teeth
• Helps form skeletal structure and soft tissue
• Helps maintain normal blood levels
• Reduces risk of bones becoming thin, brittle, soft, or misshapen

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A was first discovered in ***3, when scientists found it could prevent night blindness. Then, in ***2 it was determined that beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A, was the precursor to vitamin A. When we consume beta-carotene, vitamin A is produced naturally by enzymes in the digestive tract that digest beta-carotene. The fat-soluble vitamin A is then stored in the liver, where it can remain for long periods of time.

Vitamin A found in foods that come from animals is called preformed vitamin A. It is absorbed in the form of retinol, one of the most usable (active) forms of vitamin A. Sources include liver, whole milk, and some fortified food products. Retinol can be made into retinal and retinoic acid (other active forms of vitamin A) in the body. Vitamin A occurs naturally in animal products like liver, kidney, butter, egg yolks, whole milk and fortified skim milk.

Vitamin A that is found in colourful fruits and vegetables is called provitamin A carotenoid. They can be made into retinol in the body. Common provitamin A carotenoids found in foods that come from plants are beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Among these, beta-carotene is most efficiently made into retinol. Alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin are also converted to vitamin A, but only half as efficiently as beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to certain chronic diseases and play a role in the degenerative processes seen in ageing. Sources of beta-carotene are carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, apricots, broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables. The more intense the colour of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta-carotene content will be. These vegetable sources of beta-carotene are free of fat and cholesterol.

What does Vitamin A do?

Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, immune function, blood sugar balance and skin. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in low light. It may also be need for reproduction and breast-feeding.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is known as the sunshine vitamin because it is formed in the body by the action of the suns ultraviolet rays on the skin. Vitamin D is converted in the kidneys to the hormone calcitrol, which is actually the most active form of vitamin D. The effects of this hormone are targeted at the intestines and bones.

What does Vitamin D do?

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, thereby helping to form and maintain strong bones. It promotes bone mineralization in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, soft, or misshapen. Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which are skeletal diseases that result in defects that weaken bones.