What are the physiological functions of vitamin A?
1. Maintain normal visual function: The photoreceptor rhodopsin on the retina is formed by the combination of vitamin A and opsin. It has the function of sensing low light, allowing people to see objects clearly even in dark environments. When vitamin A is deficient, the synthesis of rhodopsin is insufficient, the sensitivity to weak light is reduced, and the dark adaptation time is prolonged, resulting in decreased vision in the dark environment, and night blindness may occur in severe cases.
2. Maintain the integrity of epithelial tissue structure: Vitamin A is the carrier of oligosaccharides required for glycoprotein formation. Glycoproteins are involved in the normal formation of epithelial cells and mucus secretion, so vitamin A is an important factor in maintaining the physiological integrity of epithelial cells.
3. Promote growth and development: Vitamin A has the effect of steroid hormones, which can affect cell differentiation and promote growth and development. Vitamin A maintains the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts to promote normal bone growth.
4. Antioxidant and anticancer effects: Vitamin A and β-carotene can capture free radicals, so they can play an antioxidant role in the body. In recent years, studies have shown that vitamin A or its derivatives have the effect of inhibiting cancer.
5. Maintain the body's normal immune function: Vitamin A deficiency will affect the production of antibodies, resulting in a decline in the body's resistance.
What is vitamin A deficiency?
Ø Eye symptoms: Vitamin A deficiency first appears in the eyes, and there are three main types: Night blindness; Dry eye syndrome and Corneal softening.
Ø Skin Symptoms: When vitamin A is deficient, hyperkeratotic follicular papules appear due to keratinization of the follicular epithelium. They first appear on the anterolateral thigh and the back of the upper arm, and later extend to the upper and lower extremities, shoulders, and lower abdomen. The chest, back and buttocks are less affected. Due to the reduced secretion of sebaceous glands, the skin is dry and wrinkled, similar in appearance to toad skin, also known as toad skin disease.
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