Vitamin A deficiency is a serious health concern, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. According to an earlier survey, over half of children (51.5%) aged 6-59 months and 27% of women of reproductive age are deficient in this crucial nutrient, a statistic that highlights the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency.
But what makes vitamin A so crucial, and why does its deficiency matter so much?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble essential nutrient crucial for several bodily functions – supporting vision, immunity, and growth and development. What’s more, it also contributes to healthy skin and tissues, including the nose lining, and promotes reproductive health.
With all these benefits in mind, many people turn to vitamin A supplements to ensure they are getting enough of this essential nutrient. Activit provides vitamin A as beta-carotene – a bioavailable form that is efficiently absorbed and utilized in the body for optimal health benefits.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about vitamin A!
What is Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that your body requires for proper functioning. It exists in two forms:
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Retinoids (such as retinol and retinyl esters) are found in animal sources.
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Carotenoids (like beta-carotene), which come from plant-based foods.
This nutrient supports growth during pregnancy, immune system health, and good eyesight. For vision in particular, vitamin A helps form a substance called rhodopsin, which is essential for seeing in low light.
Vitamin A deficiency can cause serious health problems, including vision issues and weakened immunity.
Retinoids vs Carotenoids: What You Need to Know
Preformed Vitamin A (Retinoids)
Preformed vitamin A—retinol and retinyl palmitate—is the active form your body can absorb quickly. You’ll find it in animal-based foods such as liver, eggs, beef, cod liver oil, fish, and dairy. As it’s already in its usable form, it is considered highly bioavailable.
But here’s the catch: since it’s fat-soluble, your body stores it in the liver and other fatty tissues instead of flushing it out like water-soluble vitamins. This suggests that excess intake can accumulate over time, particularly if you take high doses along with a vitamin A-rich diet.
And that accumulation can be risky. Preformed vitamin A, when consumed in large quantities, especially for extended periods, can lead to hypervitaminosis A. Common symptoms may include nausea, liver damage, and dizziness. In pregnant women, hypervitaminosis A can cause harm to the developing baby. That’s why many people look for safer vitamin A tablets in Pakistan, like beta-carotene, which your body only converts into vitamin A when it needs to. A multivitamin like Activit, which includes beta-carotene, offers a gentler way to get your daily dose.
Provitamin A (Beta-Carotene)
Provitamin A, such as beta-carotene, comes from colorful plant-based foods. You’ll find it in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, cantaloupe, winter squash, broccoli, tomatoes, apricots, and red bell peppers.
Unlike preformed vitamin A, your body needs to convert beta-carotene into active vitamin A when required. Since beta-carotene is fat-soluble and can be stored in fatty tissues, there is a built-in control mechanism that regulates vitamin A production and prevents excessive accumulation.
However, unlike retinoids, it does not build up to toxic levels, reducing the risk of overdosing and making it safer for long-term use.
Thanks to its safety, adaptability, and plant-based origin, beta-carotene is the preferred form in high-quality multivitamin formulations like Activit.
What is the Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin A
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is:
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For Men: 900 mcg (3000 IU)
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For Women: 700 mcg (2330 IU)
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Children and Adolescents: 300 to 600 mcg (1000 to 2000 IU)
While up to 3000 mcg of preformed vitamin A is considered the safe upper limit, there is no established upper limit for beta-carotene and other provitamin A forms – making them a safer option.
Bioavailability vs. Safety: Retinoids vs. Carotenoids
As a bioavailable form, retinol is readily available for your body. But that also means it can build up quickly and increase the risk of toxicity.
Beta-carotene, on the other hand, works differently. Your body converts it into vitamin A when needed – this process is a natural safeguard for your body, making beta-carotene a safer option for long-term use.
This is why beta-carotene is often preferred over other forms like retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, and retinol. For example, pregnant women are safer with beta-carotene, as it eliminates the risks of toxicity, which can be harmful for fetal development.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency
The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include:
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Vision-Related Symptoms: Night blindness, eye dryness, xerophthalmia, bitot’s spots, and corneal ulceration.
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Skin Issues: Keratinization, acne, itchy, dry, or scaly skin.
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Immune Impairment: Respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections.
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Other Symptoms: Poor wound healing, stunted growth in children, and fertility issues.
Top Vitamin A Rich Foods
Rich sources of vitamin A include:
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Animal Sources: Liver (beef, chicken, and fish), herring, salmon, mackerel, eggs, dairy
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Vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squash
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Fruits: Mangoes, papaya, apricots, and cantaloupe
While a balanced diet is the best way to get vitamin A, in cases of deficiency or dietary restrictions, high-quality vitamin A tablets in Pakistan, such as Activit, can help fill the gap. Activit, a trusted multivitamin in Pakistan, includes beta-carotene—a safe and effective form of vitamin A—along with other essential nutrients to support overall health.
Health Benefits of Vitamin A
The key vitamin A health benefits include:
Vision and Eye Health
While vitamin A is crucial for normal eye function, a deficiency of it (hypovitaminosis A) leads to visual dysfunction. According to research, several retinal diseases are directly or indirectly linked to vitamin A deficiency. This deficiency can cause problems such as dry eyes, cataracts, and an increased risk of eye infections.
Additionally, vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eyes that allows you to see in low-light conditions. Therefore, a deficiency of vitamin A can lead to night blindness. If left unaddressed, night blindness can progress to another eye disease called xerophthalmia, which causes the cornea to dry out and can result in irreversible blindness.
Immune Support
Vitamin A supports your body’s natural defense system. It controls immune signals and activates immune cells, and transports lymphocytes to mucous barriers, including the gut, eyes, lungs, and genitals, which help trap infectious agents.
In fact, in regions where infections such as measles and malaria are prevalent, addressing vitamin A deficiency has been shown to reduce the risk of child mortality from these diseases.
While vitamin A deficiency can increase your susceptibility to infections, vitamin A supplementation can promote a healthy immune system.
Reproductive Health
Vitamin A is important for both male and female reproductive health as well as for healthy fetal development.
Vitamin A supports the process of sperm production, which is called spermatogenesis, by maintaining the health of the male genital tract. In females, it is needed for the proper functioning of the ovaries and initiates embryogenesis. This vitamin is not only important for fertility, but also plays a crucial role in fetal growth, including organ development (heart, kidneys, lungs, and eyes).
But what happens when your body does not get enough?
The deficiency of vitamin A may lead to reproductive problems in both males and females and cause complications during pregnancy.
Skin Health and Cellular Growth
Essential for skin health, this nutrient supports collagen production in your body to enhance elasticity, helping reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Beta-carotene – a precursor of vitamin A – can help with acne treatment, unclog pores, and reduce blemishes.
Additionally, beta-carotene is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative damage. When converted to vitamin A, beta-carotene can provide some natural protection against UV radiation.
That is why many skincare creams contain vitamin A, which helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and enhance your skin tone.
At-Risk Population: Who Needs More Vitamin A
Some people are more likely to fall short on vitamin A than others, especially pregnant women, young children, and those following vegan diets.
During pregnancy, your body needs extra vitamin A to support healthy fetal growth, particularly during the third trimester.
Besides, vitamin A is present in animal products, so if you’re vegan or vegetarian, it can be challenging to get enough through food alone.
And in places like Pakistan, the problem is even more widespread. As discussed above, over half of the children in Pakistan are affected by vitamin A deficiency, making supplementation or dietary planning crucial to maintaining vision, immune function, and overall health. This highlights the growing importance of vitamin A tablets in Pakistan for at-risk populations.
Vitamin A Supplements in Pakistan: What to Look For
When choosing vitamin A supplements in Pakistan, keep the following points in mind:
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Check the Label—Look for forms of vitamin A used in formulation, and choose one that suits your individual needs.
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Verify Dosage—Ensure the dosage of vitamin A falls within the RDA: 900 mcg for males and 700 mcg for females.
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GMP and ISO Certification—Choose vitamin A supplements in Pakistan that are manufactured in facilities certified under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ISO to ensure quality, safety, and consistency.
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Avoid Over-Supplementation—Be cautious with processed vitamin A (such as retinol or retinyl palmitate), which can accumulate in the body and cause toxicity.
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Look for a Multivitamin—Supplements like Activit deliver a balanced mix of essential nutrients, including beta-carotene, supporting overall health beyond just providing vitamin A.
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Consider Special Needs—Choose a formula that is safe for your age, health condition, or life stage (e.g., pregnancy, vegan lifestyle, etc.)
By considering these aspects, you can choose a vitamin A supplement in Pakistan that supports your health safely. Activit meets all these standards, making it one of the most trusted multivitamins and vitamin A supplements in Pakistan.
Why Activit Chooses Beta-Carotene – And What That Means For You
Activit is the best organic multivitamin, prioritizing plant-based, bioavailable sources like beta-carotene to deliver safe nutrition without risks associated with preformed vitamin A.
It provides 900 mcg of beta-carotene, ensuring safe nutrition without the risk of toxicity, making it suitable for everyone, including pregnant women and those following a vegan lifestyle.
Trusted by health professionals and manufactured under ISO and GMP standards, this multivitamin ensures consistent quality, purity, and safety in every batch.
The Bottom Line
Vitamin A is essential for vision, immunity, fetal growth, and overall health. While a nutrient-rich diet is the best source, supplements can provide a safe and reliable way to meet your vitamin A needs, especially for those at risk of deficiency in Pakistan.
FAQs: Key Facts About Vitamin A
Is vitamin A good for skin?
Yes, vitamin A is beneficial for your skin. It helps improve texture, reduces wrinkles, boosts collagen production, treats acne, and promotes cell turnover. That said, it’s important to use it wisely—vitamin A can sometimes cause skin irritation, dryness, or redness, especially if your skin is sensitive. That’s why it is recommended to start with a low concentration under the consultation of a dermatologist.
Can vitamin A be taken during pregnancy?
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient during pregnancy as it supports healthy fetal growth and development. Pregnant women should avoid high-dose vitamin A supplements, especially the preformed form (retinol). High doses of this nutrient can cause birth defects and liver toxicity. Therefore, healthcare providers recommend taking this essential nutrient from vitamin A-rich foods.
Can vitamin A cause liver damage?
The liver serves as the primary storage site for vitamin A. This is why consuming high doses of preformed vitamin A over time can result in liver toxicity, potentially leading to liver injury, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended dosage of vitamin A. Activit multivitamin provides 900 mcg of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which does not cause toxicity and is gentle on your body.
How to check vitamin A deficiency?
Note that the body stores significant amounts of vitamin A, and blood levels may not decline until the deficiency is severe. However, a blood test measuring serum retinol levels below 0.70 µmol/L suggests subclinical deficiency, while levels below 0.35 µmol/L indicate severe deficiency.
When should vitamin A be taken?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin; therefore, the best time to take vitamin A is with meals containing fats to enhance absorption. Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your healthcare provider or mentioned on the label.
Which vitamin A is best?
The best form of vitamin A depends on your individual needs. However, beta-carotene, a plant-based provitamin A, is a safer option because the body only converts it into active vitamin A when needed. On the other hand, preformed vitamin A (like retinol) is bioavailable, but can accumulate to unsafe levels if taken in excess. Activit, a premium multivitamin in Pakistan, includes beta-carotene as its vitamin A source, providing a body-friendly option for daily nutritional support.
Will vitamin A prevent measles?
No, vitamin A does not prevent measles, and vaccination is the most effective method of prevention. However, in severe cases, particularly in children, vitamin A supplementation may help reduce the severity of the condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two doses of vitamin A supplementation for adults and children are recommended to reduce measles severity.
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