What vitamin A is
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two main forms. Preformed vitamin A, or retinol, is found in animal foods such as liver, eggs, and dairy. Provitamin A carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, come from colourful plants and are converted by the body into vitamin A only as needed, which makes them safer at high intakes.
How vitamin A works
Vitamin A plays several essential roles. It is part of the pigment in the eye that lets you see in dim light, which is why night vision suffers first in a shortfall. It also supports the immune system and helps maintain the skin and the surface linings of the body. Because it is fat soluble, the body stores it, mostly in the liver.
What the human research shows
The clearest evidence is the nutrition basics. A genuine vitamin A shortfall causes serious harm, including vision loss and weakened immunity, and remains a major public health issue in parts of the world. Correcting it resolves these problems. For well-nourished people, the everyday need is easily met by food.
The defining feature of vitamin A is its narrow safety margin. Because preformed vitamin A is stored, too much over time becomes toxic, causing headaches, liver stress, weaker bones, and, importantly, birth differences if taken in high doses during pregnancy. We grade the evidence as moderate, with a clear deficiency story and an equally clear ceiling you must respect.
What we still do not know
- How common quiet, mild vitamin A excess is in supplement users.
- The long-term effect of intakes that sit just above the recommended amount.
- How best to balance vitamin A intake with bone health in older adults.
How people take vitamin A
Most people in well-fed countries get enough vitamin A from food and do not need a supplement. If you do take one, beta-carotene is a safer source because the body converts it only as needed. Keep preformed vitamin A under 3,000 mcg per day from all sources, and avoid high-dose retinol completely in pregnancy unless a healthcare provider directs otherwise.