If you have grown up being urged to munch on fresh carrots by your mother or grandmother then you would also know that it is good for the eyes. Reason being that it contains vitamin A, which plays a significant role in taking care of your vision.
Vitamin A refers to a group of nutrients, majorly containing retinoids, found in animal food sources, and carotenoids, found in plant food sources. These collectively contribute to various functions of the body - building immunity, cell growth and development, and improving skin health. They are also said to have antioxidant properties, particularly carotenoids, and thus they help in fighting against free radicals in the body, preventing cancer in certain cases. Vitamin A deficiency commonly leads to an ailment known as night blindness.A diet rich in vitamin A is essential for our well-being, and is especially important for pregnant women. According to a study done by Columbia University, short-term deficit of vitamin A while the lungs are being formed in the baby during pregnancy is linked to asthma later in life. The vitamin A deficiency can cause profound changes in the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways causing the adult lungs to respond to environmental or pharmacological stimuli with excessive narrowing of airways. Previous studies have also shown that retinoic acid (RA) - the active metabolite of vitamin A - is essential for normal lung development.Vitamin A is largely available in natural food sources, mainly in those that are bright red, yellow or orange in colour, although cod liver oil is consumed as a supplement by many. If you haven't been paying much heed to your diet plan, here is a list of the best sources to get you vitamin A fix -
0 comments:
Post a Comment