Welcome to our bytesize lesson for today, when i will write about vitamin A functions.
Vitamin A is promoting our vision, role in protein synthesis and cell differentiation (maintaining the skin and the epithelial tissue healthy), supporting growth, reproduction and immune system functions. There are specific tasks for each form of vitamin A. The retinol is used as transport and main storage form, the retinal is useful for vision and acts as an intermediary agent in the retinol conversion into retinoic acid (the later acting like a hormone, regulating cell differentiation, growth and embryonic development). Interesting fact, animals raised with access only to retinoic acid grow normally, but become blind as retinoic acid cannot be converted in retinal.
The version in the picture has one hydroxyl group (-OH), so it is an alcohol - hence retinol version of vitamin A.
Vitamin A in vision has two main roles, maintain a crystal clear outer window of cornea and to participate in the conversion of light energy into nerve impulses at the retina. As retinoic acid acts as a hormone, regulating genes, maintaining the normal structure and function of the epithelial cells found in the lungs, trachea, skin, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessel wall and cornea.
For men, the retinol is used in sperm development, for women supports fetal development during pregnancy. Children with vitamin A deficiency fail to grow properly, but if they are given vitamin A supplements, they gain weight and grow taller. We do not know yet why or how. Bone development and maturation also requires vitamin A. If you are deficient, this will lead to excess deposits of bone-forming inorganic salts in the connective tissue inside the bones. Some aspects of the immune system developments are also influenced by the vitamin A, as you need it for the differentiation of the white blood cells (lymphocytes, killer cells and phagocytes - all having a critical role in defending our body from pathogens). Deviating a bit from the main subject, a vitamin A deficiency will make you more vulnerable to bacteria, fungi and viruses (including COVID19).
The retinoic acid influences metabolic signaling via DNA regulation, being able to turn on a large number of genes, in a variety of tissues in the body, accounting for the diversity of the vitamin A actions.
Next post will be about vitamin A deficiency and toxicity.
Yours truly,
George
P.S. If you are Romanian, you can also publish your post link in the Publish0x Romanian Community Facebook group for others to read it.
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Disclaimer: This text also can be re-published on my personal blogs, such as this one.
