Vitamin A is one of the most prevalent vitamins in most American’s diets today and it provides us with a great deal of health benefits all the way from our vision to fighting off the free radicals within our bodies that can create cancer cells. Vitamin A can be consumed through many different foods that may already be included in your daily diet. Some of these foods include fish liver oils, green and yellow fruits and vegetables, carrots, papayas, peaches, sweet potatoes, watercress, paprika, kelp, cayenne and so much more. As you can see Vitamin A can be found in numerous amounts of foods that many people consume on a daily basis without even realizing the benefits they are reaping.

On the other hand, a Vitamin A deficiency can cause symptoms like dry skin and hair, night blindness, insomnia, frequent colds, acne and weight loss to name a few. Carotenoids are related to Vitamin A and have many different functions in relation to this vitamin. In some instances Carotenoids can act as antioxidants and provide other important functions to the already health beneficial aspects of Vitamin A. The most commonly known group of Carotenoids are the carotenes and within this group, the beta-carotenes.

When foods and supplements are consumed that contain beta-carotenes, these carotenes are then converted into Vitamin A in the liver. Recent research studies and reports state that beta-carotenes can aid in the prevention of cancer by neutralizing all the free radicals within the body, which have the potential to create cancer cells. For instance, a study was conducted by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute which found people who consumed high doses of beta-carotene either through supplements or food sources, smoked and drank alcohol as well doubled their risk of cancer. On the other hand, those who took beta-carotene and did not smoke or drink alcohol decreased their risk of cancer by 44%.

Some of the other forms of Carotenoids include: xanthophylls, limonoids and the phytosterols. Within each of these categories of Carotenoids includes another group of Carotenoids that can benefit you in one way or another. Higher consumption of lutein, which is in the xanthophylls family of Carotenoids can help reduce the risk of cataracts and slow the progress of prostate cancer. Although science has yet to discover all the Carotenoids associated with Vitamin A, so far several hundred have been discovered and researched.

Vitamin A and Carotenoids can be of great benefit to anyone’s health but remember that too much Vitamin A or too little can create deficiencies and overdoses that can cause your health and body harm. It is important to speak with a naturopathic professional to understand the proper dosages of Vitamin A in order to remain healthy and vibrant.