Vitamin A or beta-carotene?
Vitamin A is very effective, but is toxic in large quantities, e.g. if you take much more than recommended or if you eat liver dishes with liver from factory farming. Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A by the body and is not toxic in large quantities. This is why manufacturers of food supplements prefer to use beta-carotene.
However, there are also areas, such as skin problems, where pure vitamin A has been shown to be more effective than beta-carotene. Customers should therefore find out exactly what they need. We have both forms on offer... Read more
Vitamin A 4000 IU, 100 softgel capsules
Content: 0.045 Kilogramm (€397.78 / 1 Kilogramm)
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From 1€19.90€442.22 / 1 Kilogramm
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From 2€18.90€420.00 / 1 Kilogramm
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From 25€17.90€397.78 / 1 Kilogramm
Vitamin ADEK oil, 30 ml
Content: 0.03 Liter (€1,196.67 / 1 Liter)
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From 1€39.90€1,330.00 / 1 Liter
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From 2€37.90€1,263.33 / 1 Liter
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From 5€35.90€1,196.67 / 1 Liter
Vitamin A retinol palmitate, 60 capsules
Content: 0.014 Kilogramm (€992.86 / 1 Kilogramm)
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From 1€15.90€1,135.71 / 1 Kilogramm
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From 2€14.90€1,064.29 / 1 Kilogramm
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From 5€13.90€992.86 / 1 Kilogramm
Occurrence of vitamin A
Animal foods contain the fat-soluble vitamin A. However, the body can also produce it itself from some carotenoids and store it in the liver for a longer period of time. The vitamin is crucial for the visual process and plays an important role in skin, bones, teeth and supporting tissue. It also promotes the formation of antibodies and protects the skin and mucous membranes, which is why it also supports the immune system. Vitamin A is also required for cell growth, the formation and maturation of red blood cells, the synthesis of steroid hormones (such as oestrogen), egg maturation in the ovary and sperm maturation and motility. Vitamin A also plays a decisive role in the development of the embryo and the placenta. Vitamin A also has an antioxidant effect and can neutralise free radicals in the body, which counteracts cell damage.
Toxicity of vitamin A
The advantage of taking vitamin A in the form of carotenoids is that it cannot be overdosed. The body only produces as much vitamin A as it really needs.
High doses of vitamin A are harmful, e.g. to the liver or the embryo. In most cases, carotene is therefore more beneficial.
On the other hand, pure vitamin A (retinol) has a stronger and more direct effect as it does not need to be metabolised. There are indications, for example, that the effect on the skin, e.g. in the case of neurodermatitis, is better with retinol than with the intake of carotenoids such as beta carotene.
Carotenoids are therefore sufficient for general prophylaxis, but if you have more specific needs in mind, you should first find out which substance is better.
Occurrence: Liver, fish, poultry, egg, dairy products, butter, spinach, kale, carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes and peppers
Symptoms of deficiency: The first symptoms of a deficiency are visual disturbances (such as night blindness) and dry and flaky skin. A chronic deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to infections, loss of appetite, tiredness or reduced fertility, among other things.
Indications: Diseases of the respiratory tract; for acne, dry skin or eyes (used in ointments or drops), night blindness, iron deficiency anaemia, stomach ulcers, arteriosclerosis, susceptibility to infections.
DACH recommended intake: 800 µg women, 1000 µg men
Therapeutic range: 1 -3 mg
Upper limit*: 3000 µg
Much lower upper limits should be observed for children, e.g. 1500 µg for 7-10 year olds.
* Maximum amount that can be consumed daily over a very long period of time without causing adverse health effects