Natural Medical SolutionsVitamin A is a nutrient found in many foods. It helps your vision, immune system, and organs work well. You can get it from food or supplements.
What is vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a nutrient that keeps your body healthy. It supports your eyes, lungs, and heart. It also helps your immune system fight germs.
There are two main types. Preformed vitamin A comes from animal foods like eggs and liver. Provitamin A, such as beta-carotene, comes from colorful fruits and vegetables.
What are the benefits of vitamin A?
Vitamin A is vital for growth and development. It helps you see in low light. It also keeps your skin and organs in good shape.
Studies show that eating foods rich in vitamin A may lower cancer risk. However, supplements do not show the same benefit. For some people, high-dose supplements can even be dangerous.
What are the side effects of vitamin A?
Getting too much preformed vitamin A can be very harmful. It may cause bad headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. In severe cases, it can lead to a coma or death.
High doses of beta-carotene can turn your skin yellow-orange. This is harmless and goes away on its own. But smokers should avoid high-dose beta-carotene supplements due to lung cancer risks.
How much vitamin A do I need?
Your needs depend on your age and sex. Most adults need 700 to 900 micrograms (mcg) of retinol activity equivalents (RAE) each day.
There is a limit to how much preformed vitamin A you should take. For most adults, the upper limit is 3,000 mcg per day from all sources.
Who should not take vitamin A?
Pregnant women should not take high-dose supplements of preformed vitamin A. It can cause birth defects in a baby. Always talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Smokers and former smokers should also be careful. High-dose beta-carotene supplements may increase their risk of lung cancer.
Does vitamin A interact with medications?
Yes, vitamin A can interact with some medicines. Always tell your doctor about all supplements you take.
Does Vitamin A and Carotenoids interact with any medications?
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking vitamin a and carotenoids if you take any prescription medicine. The list below is not complete.
This weight-loss drug can lower how much vitamin A your body absorbs.
These skin medicines are made from vitamin A. Taking them with vitamin A supplements can cause dangerously high levels in your blood.
Common questions about vitamin a and carotenoids
Can I get enough vitamin A from food?
Is it safe to take vitamin A every day?
What happens if I do not get enough vitamin A?
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Where this information comes from
Written from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, a public-domain resource from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information retrieved 2026-08-21.
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