In this blog, we will discuss the make-up and different types of vitamin A, its impact on anxiety, and how to best regulate and optimize your mental health around this vitamin and through other lifestyle changes. If your goal is to improve your life and learn more about vitamin A, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more.
What is Vitamin A?
Let’s start by defining this essential and versatile micronutrient. Vitamin A is an organic molecule and an indispensable micronutrient that our body needs in small quantities for the correct functioning of metabolism. Essential nutrients cannot synthesize in the body and vitamin A is one of those essential nutrients and therefore must be acquired from food.
Two sources of vitamin A are contained in the human diet. One pro-forme vitamin A and the other one is pre-form vitamin A. Pre-formed vitamin A, also known as retinol and retinyl esters can be found in animal sources such as eggs, fish, and organ meats as well as in dairy products. A few examples include milk, cheese, and yogurt. However, pro-vitamin A, also known as carotenoids, is mainly the plant pigments that are converted by the body into vitamin A in the intestine.
Many of us are aware that vitamin A helps in the proper functioning of the lungs, heart, and immune system. It also plays an essential role in maintaining vision. Beyond physiological benefits to our major organs, vitamin A also aids in mental health. Did you know that vitamin A also plays a major role in minimizing feelings of anxiety? Yes, you read that right. This micronutrient can help you with your mental health as well. Vitamin A is the primary fat-soluble vitamin that helps in managing anxiety levels. If you are experiencing anxiety, then there might be a chance you are lacking or have a deficiency of vitamin A.
How Can Vitamin A Influence your Anxiety?
As you already know, having enough vitamin A in our body ensures healthier eyes accompanied by a robust immune system. It assists our physiological balance as well as reproductive health. Vitamin A is also crucial for the human brain and improving memory. There are organs in our body that need vitamin A to function properly, for example, the lungs, heart, and kidney. Almost 85 to 90% of the vitamin A stored liver; it is also known as retinol.
In the present era, innovative scientific developments and increasing technological advances have put humans into various stressful situations. When anxiety levels increase abnormally due to an ever increasingly stressful environment, it becomes vital to control these feelings of helplessness.
As previously mentioned, vitamin A is an essential micronutrient and a fat-soluble vitamin that exhibits the property of controlling or managing anxiety. Isn’t it a great privilege that we can overcome anxiety by incorporating vitamin A-enriched foods into our diet?
Vitamin A plays a key role in managing anxiety. Several scientists have demonstrated that the antioxidant properties of vitamin A help in controlling the symptoms of anxiety.
In addition to managing anxiety through dietary consumption of vitamin A, exercise also plays a crucial role in stress management to mitigate your feelings of anxiety. Whenever you exercise it overall impacts your mood; you feel lighter, more relaxed, and able to take things in stride. HealthCodes DNA offers a Fitness Panel genetic fitness test that contains a genetic mood predisposition and response to exercise that provides essential knowledge in how our bodies and minds respond to stress and anxiety via genetic motivational factors.
Functions of Vitamin A
Now that we have a deeper understanding of the definition and effects of vitamin A on the human body, let’s have a look at some of the critical functions of this vitamin.
- Vitamin A promotes overall eye health; it is a precursor of rhodopsin, a photopigment found in the retina of the eyes
- Aids to the proper development of the fetus
- Immunity increase, helping to fight against various infections
- Consistent consumption of this micronutrient prevents reduced fertility
- An enriched diet of this vitamin lowers our anxiety.
Link Between Vitamin A and The Nervous System
The nervous system is the most important organ of our body. Vitamin A nurtures our nervous system and minimizes stress and anxiety. Fatty acids found in Vitamin A are quite crucial to our nervous system development. Thus, these fatty acids contribute to the reduction in anxiety felt when consuming vitamin A regularly.
Benefits Of Vitamin A
- It strengthens bones and teeth
- Keeps the reproductive system healthy
- Vitamin A boosts the immune system and prevents the infections
- Improves eyesight and prevents the night blindness
- Prevents the risk of cancer
- Prevents anxiety and stress
Vitamin A Deficiency
The importance of vitamin A has always been overlooked; however, it is the major element on which the health of our body depends. The deficiency of vitamin A in our body leads to liver disorder fat malabsorption as well as impairs immune system function xerophthalmia, also known as night blindness. If your body lacks vitamin A, chances are you may suffer from infertility and may experience severe anxiety and depression.
Vitamin A as an Antioxidant
Vitamin A enriches with antioxidants. An important function of antioxidants is to remove free radicals from the body. Essentially, antioxidants protect our body’s immunity. Free radicals contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other related disorders. Our body’s ability to process antioxidants also determines our genetics. HealthCodes DNA offers a DNA test for antioxidants so we can understand just how predisposed we are to the deleterious effects of continuous antioxidant exposure.
Foods Enriched with Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be taken in the form of supplements, but many researchers suggest that vitamin A taken from diet provides a greater benefit than supplements by leading to enhanced gastrointestinal absorption, having foods packed with vitamin A heals eyesight, improves the body’s immunity, and helps in maintaining reproductive health. These are the following Vitamin A enriched foods that help to mitigate anxiety when used as part of a comprehensive lifestyle improvement plan.
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Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are the most abundant natural source of vitamin A. In a single serving of the potatoes’ skin, you will find 1400 mg of vitamin A. 1400 mg of vitamin A per serving is an ideal amount to achieve the recommended daily intake of vitamin A for most people. When sweet potatoes are regularly consumed as part of a larger lifestyle adjustment plan, these will work in unison to mitigate anxiety.
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Liver
Another important source of vitamin A in the liver. Most research suggests that eating liver once a week is not good because it has too much vitamin A then requires our bodies.
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Spinach
Spinach contains both fiber and vitamin A. One cup of spinach contains 570 mcg of vitamin A. Spinach is considered a great way to get vitamin A, whether you eat it in cooked form, raw, or in a smoothie, spinach is one of the best leafy green vegetables to get what you need.
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Egg yolk
You can also find vitamin A in egg yolk. As egg yolk loads with minerals, protein, and vitamins, therefore, it makes the egg yolk the best one to eat and get vitamin A.
Grapefruit
In terms of vitamin A, grapefruit consider another excellent source of getting vitamin A. This fruit is filled with antioxidants and prevents a plethora of chronic conditions and helps relax one’s mind.
Mango
Mango is an excellent source of vitamin A, fiber, and many other minerals. It is also called the king of the fruits. A medium-sized mango can provide you with 75% of vitamin A. It also helps in reducing anxiety and stress.
Papaya
Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A as well. It has antioxidants that improve vision and skin. It prevents degeneration of the retina and protects the cornea. Add it to your breakfast or have a papaya smoothie on warm days.
Watermelon
Watermelon is another amazing fruit loaded with vitamin A and provides numerous health benefits including improving eyesight, skin, and hair as well as suppressing depression and anxiety.
When you incorporate these healthy foods into your daily diet make sure to have the best workout plan too so, you can manage your weight and get an adequate amount of nutrients and vitamin A from foods.
Food Sensitivity of Different Foods Containing Vitamin A
Increased levels of certain IgG class antibodies are a hallmark symptom of exposure to antigenic foods, and a telltale sign your body is having an adverse reaction to exposure to that food. When you show elevated IgG antibodies, that is your body telling you that you are sensitive to a particular food. This reaction is also known as food sensitivity. The symptoms one may experience in the days after ingesting food that they may be sensitive to include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Intestinal gas
Dairy products are an excellent source of Vitamin A but for some people, it can be difficult to consume dairy products. Therefore, you can eat alternate foods to balance your vitamin A intake. Some people may have genetic lactose intolerance and this predisposition may impede their ability to obtain vitamin A from dairy products.
As previously mentioned, vitamins are a class of micronutrients that are used to boost our body’s immunity. However, it depends on the kind of vitamins you are going to take. As we all know, the human body responds to everything we swallow. That’s why it is advisable to be more careful with the quality, quality, and source of vitamins and minerals we consume daily.
3-Panel Analysis for Wellness, Nutrition, and Fitness
Every individual’s unique body responds differently to all types of foods, vitamins, fruits, drinks, or intake supplements. Please do not assume that what works for your close friend will also work for you because we all have different body reactions to what we consume. The evaluation of sensitivities of foods is covered in HealthCodes DNA’s 3-Panel Analysis for Wellness, Nutrition, and Fitness. This complete DNA health test 40 total DNA results relating to body metabolism traits, food sensitivities and intolerances, macronutrient and micronutrient needs, and even builds a customized workout plan to accompany the personalized diet plan.
When you take in some foods that incorporate vitamin A, you might feel discomfort. This might be due to a sensitivity to that food. You might experience bloating, gas, nausea, or even the anxiety you were looking to remedy through increased vitamin A intake. It is important to listen to your body and get informed about it to avoid these food sensitivity reactions when consuming vitamin A-containing foods. HealthCodes DNA’s genetic health test for diet and nutrition will help understand the sensitivity of different foods and different DNA tests to know whether you have a food sensitivity or not.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A
In a Nutrition Facts label, vitamin A listed is measured in IU (international units). The Institute of Medicine Lists Dietary Allowance for Vitamin A in micrograms (abbreviated mcg) of RAE retinol activity equivalent.
for males, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults 19 years and older is RAE (equivalent to 3,000 IU) 900 mcg and RAE for females (equivalent to 2,333 IU) 700 mcg.
Role of Vitamin A to Prevent Anxiety
It allows you to decide what is best for you in terms of food, fruits, or drink intake. The same thing applies to supplements.
We at healthcodesdna.com always provide support and advice for our clients and anyone who consults us whenever they feel disturbed after consuming something didn’t previously.
Despite the benefits of vitamin A in our bodies, we still need to be wary of some food products with vitamin A and supplements that are likely to trigger anxiety. Adequate consumption of vitamin A is beneficial and brings a plethora of benefits. The toxicity of Vitamin A can sometimes lead to negative effects, but you should not begin evading using vitamin A products because your body needs it much more. For proper nutritional guidance, dietary guidelines, and consultation our experts are present at healthcodesdna.com to assist you.
Indeed, Vitamin A supplements help a lot in reducing anxiety feelings. As we all know, anxiety is always accompanied by some distress, making it unbearable for the affected person to feel relaxed and have ease of mind.
However, vitamin A benefits us in promoting good health and wellness; if you lack vitamin A in your system, your chances of having anxiety cases will be much higher. Therefore, think about using Vitamin A regularly to reduce your anxiety problems. No doubt, Vitamin A is perfect for the body because it has several benefits.
When Should You Pay Extra Attention to Take Vitamin A?
We all need vitamin A inappropriate amounts, but some people need more than others especially pregnant women and lactating mothers. During pregnancy, the need for Vitamin A increases for the healthy development of the baby. Furthermore, vitamin a requirement increases to balance losses through breast milk. During pregnancy, it is indispensable to consult with your doctor regarding the intake of vitamin A because overdoses can cause birth defects. Therefore, adequate intake of vitamin A recommend. Our experienced health professionals can help you to know the recommended intake of vitamin A at healthcodesdna.com
Vitamin A helps to sustain the most critical system in your body: the nervous system, and thus your muscles can unwind. A good functioning nervous system aids in reducing stress mentally. Someone who feels relaxed cannot get any anxiety. Someone who feels calm has a low chance of having a panic attack.
Vitamin A has fatty acids, which are necessary for our body. It is also helpful in reducing anxiety. Correct consumption of foods enriched in vitamin A can help tremendously to overcome anxiety symptoms.
Vitamin A Supplements to Overcome Anxiety
Vitamin A in the form of supplements can be beneficial but most health experts recommend taking as much vitamin A from foods as possible, so you do not have to rely on supplements. If Vitamin A-rich foods are easily accessible to you then why go on supplements? However, if you are unable to get enough vitamin A through food and your diet is lacking this essential vitamin then you can go on Vitamin A supplements.
Experts recommend that when you take Vitamin A as a supplement, as it has anti-anxiety effects and is generally used dosages for both males and females it varies for females it is 700 mcg per day (2330 units/day) is recommended and for males, 900 mcg per day (300 unites./day) is recommended.
Thus, it’s advisable to consult our healthcare practitioner before choosing any supplement for your intake, so you understand the actual dose for you.
If you experience some Vitamin A overdose symptoms in your body? Such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrest, low blood pressure, lethargy, or muscle weakness?
HealthCodes DNA’s DNA nutrition tests available can help you to determine your unique dietary vitamin requirements. To remove all the guesswork and maximize the results of diet and your fitness efforts by targeting your body’s most effective responses to diet and exercise, visit the HealthCodes DNA homepage to learn more now.
HealthCodes DNA has well-qualified nutritionists and health coaches available to help you choose a healthy diet and provide diet plans and virtual sessions so you can understand your diet All plans are made exclusively for you, right down to your DNA. To better understand your genetic macronutrients, essential micronutrients like vitamin A, along with many other DNA traits to unlock your best self and optimize your overall well-being, visit the homepage to learn more.
References
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
https://eudaimoniahomes.com/vitamins-good-anxiety/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-vitamin-a
https://pharmeasy.in/blog/vitamin-a-rich-fruits-that-you-should-include-in-your-diet/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961