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Vitamin A is also called retinol is another  member of the fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D and K that occurs naturally in two different forms; pro-vitamin A or carotene and the preformed vitamin A found only in certain tissue of animal products.

Carotene is an orange pigment found in many foods. It splits by specialized enzymes in the body to become two active units of vitamin A.

Carotene is abundant in carrots, from which the name is derived, but it is present in higher concentrations in some green and leafy vegetables such as broccoli, beet greens and spinach. One of the richest sources of preformed A is fish liver oil. Animal products such as butter and cream are also good sources of vitamin A and may contain both forms.

Vitamin A plays essential roles in

• Vision; it is important for maintenance of good vision.
• Growth, development and maintenance of healthy skin; it aids the growth and repair of body tissues and helps to maintain smooth, soft and disease free skin.
• Mucous membranes; it protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs and helps reducing susceptibility from infections and air pollution..
• Immune functions; administration of vitamin A has helped shorten the duration of measles, scarlet fever, infections of the eye, ear, intestines, uterus and externally in treating acne and boils.
• Reproduction; Normal levels of vitamin A are required for sperm production and normal reproductive cycles in females.

The upper intestinal tract is the area where primarily vitamin A absorption takes place. Here special enzymes convert carotene into preformed vitamin A. However, the conversion is not 100 percent complete; about one third of carotene in food converts into preformed A.

Several factors that interfere with absorption of vitamin A and carotene are: excessive alcohol, excessive consumption of iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids taken together with carotene; results in rapid destruction of carotene unless antioxidants are also present. Low weather temperatures can hinder transport and metabolism of both preformed A and carotene. Diabetics have great difficulty converting carotene into preformed A type.

Both deficiency and excess intake of vitamin A are well known causes of health issues. In contrast, excessive intake of Carotenoids is not known to cause any health problems. Excess intake (magadoses) of preformed Vitamin A for long periods of time can become toxic. Toxicity symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry skin, headaches, flaky itchy skin, enlargement of liver and bone fragility.

If toxicity occurs symptoms disappear in a few days once the vitamin is withdrawn. Vitamin C helps with vitamin A toxicity. Shortly before or during pregnancy the daily amount of pre-formed and/or supplemental A intake must limited to 3,300 IU as retinol or 5,000 IU of vitamin A obtained from their diet as it is known higher amounts could cause congenital defects.

Vitamin A deficiency takes place when not sufficient dietary supply exists; when the body is not able to absorb and/or store the vitamin because of conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, bile duct obstruction, ulcerative colitis; when health ailments interferes with conversion of carotene such as diabetes and hypothyroidism; and in cases of rapid loss of the vitamin such as in case of pneumonia, chronic nephritis and scarlet fever.

Deficiency due to malnutrition or malabsorption can cause; blindness because of inability of the body to synthesize sufficient rhodopsion; increased risk of mortality from infectious disorders - substantially reduce mortality from diseases such as gastrointestinal infections and measles; compromised and abnormal function of epithelia cells- dry skin conditions; compromised mucosal secretions; decreased thyroid hormones and abnormal bone growth.

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There are many trace minerals that occur in µg/gram amounts in the human body. It is possible that these minerals such as Silicon, Vanadium, Boron, Nickel, Lithium and many more, may or may not have health benefits or at least proven benefits in humans.

In fact some of these minerals may be toxic as it is the case of lead. However, in time some of them may prove their usefulness and may be elevated to essential nutrient status such as vitamins and other minerals. Knowledge from studies with animals for some of these minerals suggests possible benefits for humans. The following minerals are those most likely to be of benefit.

Nickel (N) No clear biochemical function has been defined for this trace mineral. It may function as a cofactor in several enzymes and in the metabolism of the vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin C.High concentrations of nickel are found in RNA and DNA where it interacts with these nucleic acids. Based on animal experiments upper level for nickel is 1 mg/day. High nickel intake, usually from non-dietary sources can interfere with vitamin E that could lead to angina or other cardiac. Dietary sources for nickel include nuts, grains, chocolate and dry beans.

Silicon (Si) Silicon is one of the minerals that is widely distributed in the soil, water and plants. In the human body higher concentrations are present in connective tissues such as collagen, cartilage, tendons, eyes dental enamel, skin, hair, thymus and bone. Specifically, silicon in bones is mostly found in areas of active growth. It changes the composition of cartilage of bone and promotes calcification. Silica promotes the union of bone after a fracture. The average intake of silicon is 30 to 50 mg/day. There is not set upper level for this mineral. Most of the dietary silicon is not of an easily absorbable form. Best dietary sources include Whole grains, onions, lettuce, root vegetables, the herbs horsetail, nettle and comfrey.

Boron (B) Boron is one of the dietary trace minerals found primarily in plant foods. It has long been known as a growth factor for plants. In the human body it may be involved in the metabolism of hormones such as estrogens and of vitamin D. This mineral also appears to have a close interrelation with magnesium and calcium. It has been suggested that boron acts as a cell membrane regulator; stability of membranes and the movement of anions and cations through the membranes. Boron benefits include healthy bones and proper brain functioning. Nutritional forms of boron are easily and completely absorbed. Based on animal tests upper level for boron is 20 mg/day. Good sources of dietary boron are beets and other vegetables, legumes, peanuts, fruit, raisins and wine.

Vanadium (V) This trace mineral has shown pharmacological activity similar to that of insulin. In clinical studies suffering type 2 diabetes individuals showed insulin sensitivity improvement. Animal studies suggest that high dosages of vanadium may be harmful. Upper level for vanadium is 1.8 mg/day. Good sources of dietary vanadium include mushrooms, shellfish, corn, and the herbs parsley and dill. A significant amount of research is still required to determine if vanadium and other minor trace minerals have significant health benefits.

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The term trace minerals or trace elements were originally used to describe minerals that ere not easily quantified by analytical methods. Today the terms are related to the daily needs for less than 100 mg.
Research on trace minerals in humans is still very young.

It is only recent history the discovery of the importance of these trace minerals and the health benefits to the human body. They are dietary essential as they have specific biological functions and deficiency will produce structural and physiological abnormalities.

Trace minerals are needed in much smaller amounts than the major minerals and usually the body needs minute amounts. Research generally uses blood tests to assess mineral status but tests are not always reliable as values can be influenced by other factors. The main method used to determine trace mineral needs is the balance study; lowest mineral intake that compensates for loses from the body throughout the day. Most trace minerals have only Adequate Intake (AI) and not Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

Mineral content in fresh foods primarily depends on the mineral concentration in the soil. For example the content of trace minerals in plant foods reflects the concentration in the soil they have grown. Animal sources are usually better sources than plants; animals consume food grown under multiple soil conditions. In general foods from animal sources contain factors that enhance the absorption of such trace minerals. As a rule the more refined a food the lower the content of trace minerals.

Depletion of these nutrients in the soil, cooking and processing adds to the difficulty in obtaining such vital elements from our food. Long and extensive imbalances in minerals are one of the basic causes of diseases. Every single moment of every day the body depends on ionic and trace minerals to conduct and generate billions of tiny electrical impulses for it to be able to communicate and function. Individual trace elements including zinc, selenium, iodine, copper, chromium, molybdenum, chromium have been found to be beneficial for a number of health needs.

Minerals and trace minerals do not exist by themselves but in relationships to one another Too much of one element can lead to imbalances in others.

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