Nutri News September 2022
The theme for September is Back to School!!! Articles include nutrigenetics and if a nutrient dense breakfast improves school performance. This issue also includes an easy lunch box recipe and shopping in season with figs. This month’s student spotlight is on our very own Georgina Brace and an interview with Professor Altice.
The theme for September is Back to School!!! Articles include nutrigenetics and if a nutrient dense breakfast improves school performance. This issue also includes an easy lunch box recipe and shopping in season with figs. This month’s student spotlight is on our very own Georgina Brace and an interview with Professor Altice.
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and heart disease.1 Most significantly, Vitamin A is<br />
recognized for its major purpose in eye health and<br />
vision since it is vital in maintaining and protecting<br />
your cornea (the outer layer of the eye) as well as<br />
the thin membrane or conjunctiva that covers the<br />
exterior of your eyes and inside your eyelids. This<br />
occurs because a protein called opsin combines<br />
with the active form of vitamin A or retinal, to form<br />
a molecule that aids in low light and color vision<br />
called rhodopsin.2<br />
These are all crucial, which is why it is critical to<br />
ensure that you are getting the proper quantity.<br />
Unfortunately, because vitamin A is a fat-soluble<br />
vitamin, it can cause both deficiency and toxicity.<br />
If you are deficient or consume less than 700 mcg<br />
per day, you may have a higher risk of infection,<br />
skin difficulties, pregnancy troubles, and blindness.<br />
Vitamin A insufficiency is the leading cause of<br />
avoidable blindness (in children) worldwide. Due to<br />
restricted dietary sources, deficiency is especially<br />
common in infants, those with cystic fibrosis, and<br />
vegans. However, if you consume too much vitamin<br />
A and exceed the tolerated upper limit of 3,000<br />
mcg, you may have nausea, vomiting, joint/bone<br />
pain, eyesight abnormalities, and liver damage,<br />
among other symptoms. Toxicity is uncommon,<br />
although it can occur as a result of high vitamin A<br />
consumption, such as liver and supplements.2 As a<br />
result, it is critical to consult with your doctor or a<br />
dietitian to ensure that you are getting adequate<br />
vitamins and minerals.<br />
Remember that Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin,<br />
and your body is quite good at storing what it<br />
requires to function properly. In general, a healthy,<br />
well-balanced diet provides adequate Vitamin A,<br />
but if you believe you require more or less, consult<br />
your doctor or a local dietician!<br />
Resources:<br />
1. Vitamin A. Mayo Clinic. Published 2020.<br />
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplementsvitamin-a/art-20365945<br />
Accessed July 23, <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
2. Kubala J. Vitamin A: Benefits, Deficiency, Toxicity,<br />
and More. Healthline. Published April 5, <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a<br />
Accessed July 23, <strong>2022</strong>.