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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Benefits And Side Effects Of Vitamin A Supplement?

What are the benefits, and possible dangers, of taking a Vitamin A supplement, 8000 IU, daily? I recall that a person can take too much Vitamin A because the body stores it, so I wondered if there are any dangers in taking a Vitamin A supplement daily, at the dosage shown above. Thanks.
Tue, 28 Mar 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

I understand your concern. First of all, unless you have a specific medical reason for taking vitamin A, if you are healthy and on a diet of low-fat dairy products, and lots of fruit and vegetables, there is no need for you to take supplemental vitamin A.

The upper limit of recommended vitamin A is 10.000 UI per day and anything above that range can be toxic and cause a long list of dangerous side effects, such as liver damage, bleeding in the lungs, eye damage, high pressure in the brain, thyroid problems and even mental problems.

Vitamin A tends to accumulate in the body over time and become toxic, whereas the precursor of Vitamin A, beta carotene, which is present in yellow fruit and vegetables, as well as dark leafy greens, does not build up in the body, rather, what does not get used by the body gets flushed away. So the best way to get vitamin A is through diet.

I hope this helps.
Wishing you all the best.
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What Are The Benefits And Side Effects Of Vitamin A Supplement?

Hello, I understand your concern. First of all, unless you have a specific medical reason for taking vitamin A, if you are healthy and on a diet of low-fat dairy products, and lots of fruit and vegetables, there is no need for you to take supplemental vitamin A. The upper limit of recommended vitamin A is 10.000 UI per day and anything above that range can be toxic and cause a long list of dangerous side effects, such as liver damage, bleeding in the lungs, eye damage, high pressure in the brain, thyroid problems and even mental problems. Vitamin A tends to accumulate in the body over time and become toxic, whereas the precursor of Vitamin A, beta carotene, which is present in yellow fruit and vegetables, as well as dark leafy greens, does not build up in the body, rather, what does not get used by the body gets flushed away. So the best way to get vitamin A is through diet. I hope this helps. Wishing you all the best.