Name: Vitamin A
Cheif functions in your body: Vision; maintenance of cornea, epithelial cells, mucous membranes, skin; done and tooth growth; reproduction; immunity
Significant sources: Retinol: fortified milk, cheese, cream, butter, fortified margarine, eggs, liver; Beta-carotene: spinach and other dark leafy greens, broccoli, deep orange fruits (apricots, cantaloupe) and vegetables (squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin)
 Deficiency Symptoms
Common Names: Hypovitaminosis A
Digestive System: Changes in lining, diarrhea
Eyes: Night blindness, changes in epithelial ittue (hyperkeratinization), drying (xerosis), triangular grey spots on eye (Bitot's spots), irrersible drying (keratomalacia), and corneal degeneration (blindness)
Nervous/Muscular Systems: Brain and spinal cord growth too fast for stunted skull and spine
Bones/Teeth: Cessation of bone growth, painful joints, impaired enamel formation, cracks in teeth, tendency to decay, atrophy of dentin-forming cells
Blood/Circulatory System: Anemia, often masked by dehydration
Other: Kidney stones
Immune System: Suppression of immune reactions; frequent respiratory, digestive, bladder, vaginal, and kidney infections
Skin: Plugging of hair follicles with keratin, forming white lumps (hyperkeratosis)
Toxicity Symptoms
Common Names: Hypervitaminosis A
Digestive System: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss
Nervous/Muscular Systems: Loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, restlessness, headaches, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, interference with thyroxin
Bones/Teeth: Increased activity of osteoclasts (cells that destroy bone during its growth) causing decalicification, joint pain, fragility, stunted growth, thickening of long bones, increase of pressre inside skull mimicking brain tumor, headaches
Blood/Circulatory System: Loss of hemoglobin and potassium by red blood cells, cessation of menstruation, slowed clotting time, easily induced bleeding
Other: Amenorrhea (evelated serum caronene concentrations), jaundice (bile related pigments spill into the blood stream and skin yellows), enlargment of liver and spleen, massive accumulation of fat and vitamin A in liver
Immune System: Overstimulation of immune reactions
Skin: Dryness, itching, peeling, rashes, dry scaling lips, cracking and bleeding of lips, nosebleeds, loss of hair, brittle nails
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