Retinol Description
Retinol -
Retinol is
one of the most active, or usable, forms of Vitamin A, and is found
in animal foods such as liver and eggs and in some fortified food
products. Vitamin A and Retinol is a water soluble vitamin.
Retinol is often called
preformed Vitamin A and it can be converted to retinal and retinoic
acid, other active forms of the Vitamin A family. Some plant foods
contain darkly colored pigments called provitamin A carotenoids that
can be converted to Vitamin A.
Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that is more efficiently
converted to retinol than other carotenoids.
Retinol
plays an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell
division and cell differentiation. Vitamin A
helps maintain the surface
linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal
tracts. When those linings break down, bacteria can enter the body
and cause infection. Vitamin A also helps maintain the integrity of
skin and mucous membranes that function as a barrier to bacteria and
viruses. Vitamin A also helps regulate the immune system. Some
carotenoids, in addition to serving as a source of Vitamin A, have
been shown to function as antioxidants in laboratory tests.
Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals, which are potentially
damaging by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the
development of some chronic diseases.
Retinol and
Vitamin A is found in animal foods such as whole eggs, whole milk
and liver. Most
fat free milk and dried nonfat milk solids sold in the
US
are fortified with Vitamin A to replace the Vitamin A lost when the
fat is removed. Fortified foods such as fortified breakfast cereals
also provide Retinol.
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