Vitamin A:

Biochemistry,
Structure,
Benefits, and
Diseases
Introduction to Vitamin A

Essential fat-soluble vitamin

Critical for vision
Immune function
Cellular communication
Biochemistry of Vitamin A

 Absorption and Transport:

 Absorbed in the small intestine
 Transported by retinol-binding protein (RBP
 Metabolism:
 Conversion between retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid
 Stored in the liver as retinyl esters
Biochemistry of Vitamin A (cont.)

 Chemical Forms
 Retinol (alcohol form)
 Retinal (aldehyde form)
 Retinoic acid (acid form)
 Retinyl esters (storage form)
Sources of Vitamin A

 Animal Sources (Preformed  Plant Sources (Provitamin A

Vitamin A): Carotenoids):
 Liver  Carrots
 Sweet potatoes
 Fish oils
 Spinach
 Milk and dairy products
 Kale
 Eggs
 Mangoes
Structure of Vitamin A

Molecular Structure Structure of Retinol Structure of Retinoic

Acid
Chemical formula:
Retinol Retinoic Acid
C20H30O
Molar mass: 286.45 g/mol.
The iupac name is 3,7-
dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-
trimethylcyclohex-1-yl)
nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-ol
Structure of Vitamin A (cont.)
Benefits of Vitamin A

 Vision:
 Essential for the formation of rhodopsin in the retina
 Helps in night vision
 Immune Function:
 Enhances the body's defense mechanisms
 Supports the production and function of white blood cells
Benefits of Vitamin A (cont.)

 Cell Growth:
 Critical for cellular differentiation
 Important for skin health and wound healing
 Reproduction:
 Supports normal fetal development
Vitamin A Deficiency Diseases

 Night Blindness:
 Difficulty seeing in low light conditions
 Xerophthalmia:
 Dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea, can lead to blindness if untreated
 Immune Deficiency:
 Increased susceptibility to infections
 Keratomalacia:
 Softening of the cornea leading to irreversible blindness
Vitamin A Toxicity

 Hypervitaminosis A:
 Acute Toxicity: nausea, headache, dizziness
 Chronic Toxicity: liver damage, bone abnormalities, hair loss
 Symptoms of Overconsumption:
 Dry skin
 Blurred vision
 Intracranial pressure
Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDA)
Infants:
 0-6 months: 400 micrograms (mcg)
 7-12 months: 500 mcg
Children:
 1-3 years: 300 mcg
 4-8 years: 400 mcg
Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDA) (cont.)

Adolescents and Adults:

Males (14+ years): 900 mcg
Females (14+ years): 700 mcg
Pregnant and Lactating Women:
Pregnant: 770-1300 mcg
Lactating: 1200-1300 mcg
Conclusion

 Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune

function, and cellular health
 Deficiency and toxicity both pose serious health
risks
 Balanced intake through diet is crucial