The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity
Introduction: This article investigates the essential functions and health risks of vitamin A, focusing on its metabolic pathways, dietary origins, daily requirements, the clinical consequences of deficiency and the harmful effects of overdose. Materials and Methods: A thorough literature search...
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62913 |
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| author | Paulina Grzeszczuk Magdalena Jabłonowska |
| author_facet | Paulina Grzeszczuk Magdalena Jabłonowska |
| author_sort | Paulina Grzeszczuk |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: This article investigates the essential functions and health risks of vitamin A, focusing on its metabolic pathways, dietary origins, daily requirements, the clinical consequences of deficiency and the harmful effects of overdose.
Materials and Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases with the following keywords: "Vitamin A", "retinoids", "vitamin A deficiency", "hypervitaminosis A", "retinoic acid", "immune function", "vision", "skin health", "toxicity", and "wound healing".
Summary: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient essential for maintaining healthy vision, a strong immune system, proper growth, reproduction, and skin integrity. It is found in two main forms: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids. After intestinal absorption, it is primarily stored in the liver and converted into active compounds such as retinoic acid, which regulate gene expression and support epithelial health and immune function. Deficiency can result in night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, delayed wound healing, and skin disorders. On the other hand, excessive intake, particularly from supplements, may lead to acute or chronic toxicity affecting the liver, bones, and nervous system, and can be harmful during early pregnancy due to its teratogenic effects. Ensuring adequate vitamin A intake is therefore key to supporting overall health.
Conclusions: Vitamin A is essential for human health, but both its deficiency and excess pose significant risks. Deficiency remains a major concern in low-income countries, while preventing toxicity is increasingly important in high-income populations due to widespread supplement use. Key strategies include education, nutritional screening, food fortification, and individualized supplementation. Further research is needed to define safe dosage limits and therapeutic uses, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f28f37c08db54cbbbf1830a329e63eef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-f28f37c08db54cbbbf1830a329e63eef2025-08-20T03:46:33ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-08-014410.12775/QS.2025.44.62913The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and ToxicityPaulina Grzeszczuk0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3522-1567Magdalena Jabłonowska1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7076-2910University Clinical Hospital In BialystokUniversity Clinical Hospital In Bialystok Introduction: This article investigates the essential functions and health risks of vitamin A, focusing on its metabolic pathways, dietary origins, daily requirements, the clinical consequences of deficiency and the harmful effects of overdose. Materials and Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases with the following keywords: "Vitamin A", "retinoids", "vitamin A deficiency", "hypervitaminosis A", "retinoic acid", "immune function", "vision", "skin health", "toxicity", and "wound healing". Summary: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient essential for maintaining healthy vision, a strong immune system, proper growth, reproduction, and skin integrity. It is found in two main forms: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids. After intestinal absorption, it is primarily stored in the liver and converted into active compounds such as retinoic acid, which regulate gene expression and support epithelial health and immune function. Deficiency can result in night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, delayed wound healing, and skin disorders. On the other hand, excessive intake, particularly from supplements, may lead to acute or chronic toxicity affecting the liver, bones, and nervous system, and can be harmful during early pregnancy due to its teratogenic effects. Ensuring adequate vitamin A intake is therefore key to supporting overall health. Conclusions: Vitamin A is essential for human health, but both its deficiency and excess pose significant risks. Deficiency remains a major concern in low-income countries, while preventing toxicity is increasingly important in high-income populations due to widespread supplement use. Key strategies include education, nutritional screening, food fortification, and individualized supplementation. Further research is needed to define safe dosage limits and therapeutic uses, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62913vitamin Aretinolretinoic acidvitamin A deficiencyhypervitaminosis Atoxicity |
| spellingShingle | Paulina Grzeszczuk Magdalena Jabłonowska The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity Quality in Sport vitamin A retinol retinoic acid vitamin A deficiency hypervitaminosis A toxicity |
| title | The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity |
| title_full | The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity |
| title_fullStr | The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity |
| title_short | The Double-Edged Sword of Vitamin A: Function and Toxicity |
| title_sort | double edged sword of vitamin a function and toxicity |
| topic | vitamin A retinol retinoic acid vitamin A deficiency hypervitaminosis A toxicity |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62913 |
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