What is the difference between pro vitamin a and vitamin a

Vitamin A is also important for night vision. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant. The body can absorb it better after it is cooked in fat. Why should we eat some daily? What are the roles of vitamin A and beta-carotene? What is the recommended intake? Where is it found? Beta-carotene content in foods. Myths about beta-carotene. What are its particularities? Are vitamin A supplements safe for pregnant or nursing women? Pregnant women should not take high doses of vitamin A supplements and should be cautious with foods What is the recommended dietary allowance RDA for vitamin A?

Amy Jamieson-Petonic. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by substances called free radicals. The deeper or brighter the color of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the amount of carotenoids. Vegetable sources of beta-carotene are fat- and cholesterol-free. Their absorption is improved if these sources are eaten with a small amount of fat.

Babies and children are more sensitive to vitamin A. They can become sick after taking smaller doses of vitamin A or vitamin A-containing products such as retinol found in skin creams.

Large amounts of beta-carotene will not make you sick. However, high amounts of beta-carotene can turn the skin yellow or orange. The skin color will return to normal once you reduce your intake of beta-carotene. DRI is a term for a set of reference intakes that are used to plan and assess the nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values, which vary by age and sex, include:. An RDA is an intake level based on scientific research evidence.

It is set at a level that is thought to ensure enough nutrition. Retinol is the main precursor of the active vitamin A molecule. Preformed vitamin A and vitamin A provided by the conversion of carotenoids constitute the total vitamin A intake.

Note that the term "retinoids", referring to both natural and synthetic compounds medicinal products , is not used in the food context. Its key role in the mechanism of eyesight is now clearly established. It also plays a part in the regulation activation, repression of gene expression, and is thus involved in a number of bodily functions: development of the embryo, cell growth, tissue renewal skin, intestinal mucosa , immune system, etc.

In food, vitamin A is present in the form of retinol and its derivatives exclusively in products of animal origin, while in the form of provitamin carotenoids it is mainly found in products of plant origin. The livers of fish and farmed animals are richest in retinol.