Vitamin A requirements and safety

Plain English Summary:

Vitamin A has been linked to many beneficial effects for people. It has been recently associated with improved immune system responses, particularly for measles and HIV infections. The recommended dosing for vitamin A is different in each country, so a general recommendation is hard to make. Low income families are often prone to risk of vitamin A deficiency, as well as people on weight loss diets. Vitamin A supplementation is usually well tolerated and studies done with amounts in excess of the daily allowance have shown that there is not a carcinogenic risk, and that even these doses are well tolerated by people. Deficiency of vitamin A is important, as it can cause night blindness. The use of supplements can protect against this, as well as help to build immune system responses.