- Vitamin A is vital for a healthy immune system, bone growth, vision, cell recognition and reproduction. Vitamin A often works as an antioxidant, fighting cell damage, but it also has many other uses. It has a vital role in the formation of heart, lungs, and kidney.
- Other functions of vitamin A include the formation and maintenance of teeth, bones, soft tissue, white blood cells, the immune system and mucus membranes.
- Most people get enough vitamin A from their diets. However, a doctor might suggest vitamin A supplements to people who have vitamin A deficiencies. People most likely to have vitamin A deficiency are those with diseases (such as digestive disorders) or very poor diets.
- Vitamin A is used for improving the eyesight, maintaining cells of the skin and the lining of the digestive, urinary and respiratory tracts.
- It also helps in the formation of red and white blood cells in our body that are important to carry out the various essential functions of our body.
- Topical and oral retinoids are common prescription treatments for acne and other skin conditions, including wrinkles.
- Oral vitamin A is also used as a treatment for measles and dry eye in people with low levels of vitamin A.
- Vitamin A is also used for a specific type of leukemia.
- Vitamin A has been studied as a treatment for many other conditions, including cancers, cataracts, and HIV. However, the results are inconclusive.
- Night blindness
- A higher risk of infections, especially in the throat, chest, and abdomen
- Follicular hyperkeratosis, leading to dry, bumpy skin.
- Fertility issues
- Delayed growth in children
- Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include dry skin, joint pain, vomiting, headaches, confusion.
- If you take too much of Vitamin A, it can lead to birth defects, abnormalities of the liver and disorders of the central nervous system.
- It can also decrease bone mineral density, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- This is because an excess of Vitamin A suppresses the building up of bones and increases its breakdown.
- The rate of calcium absorption by Vitamin D can also get affected due to excess of Vitamin A. Therefore, it is advised to use Vitamin A only as directed by your doctor.
- Interactions. Vitamin A supplements may interact with some birth control pills, blood thinners (Coumadin), acne medicines (isotretinoin), cancer treatments, and many other drugs.
- People who drink heavily or have kidney or liver disease shouldn’t take vitamin A supplements without talking to a doctor.
- Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which is a naturally occurring B vitamin. Folate helps make DNA and other genetic material. It is especially important in prenatal health.
- Folate, also called vitamin B-9, is a B vitamin that naturally occurs in certain foods. Folic acid is the form of folate that manufacturers add to vitamin supplements and fortified foods.
- It helps the body make healthy new red blood cells.
- In its deficiency a person can develop anemia, leading to fatigue, weakness, and a pale complexion.
- It leads to folate deficiency anemia.
- Folate is also important for the synthesis and repair of DNA and other genetic material.
- It is particularly important to get during pregnancy. Folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to neural tube irregularities, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
- Folic acid is crucial for early fetal development.
- Neural tube irregularities - Taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy will help prevent neural tube irregularities in the fetus.
- It may also reduce the risks of preterm birth, heart irregularities, and cleft palate, among other things.
- Depression - Taking folic acid supplements could make depression medications more effective.
- The Office on Women’s Health recommend that women who are or might become pregnant take 400–800 mcg of folic acid per day, and that people with spina bifida or a family history of neural tube irregularities take 4,000 mcg per day. Those who are breastfeeding should aim to take around 500 mcg per day.
- The body absorbs folic acid from supplements and fortified foods better than the folate from naturally occurring foods.
Skin reactions, seizures, gases problem, diarrhea, irritability, confusion, stomach upset, loss of appetite, and hypersensitivity
It is important to note that folic acid can interact with certain medications.
A person should speak to a doctor before taking folic acid if they have any of the following:
- Epilepsy
- Type 2 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ibd)
- Celiac disease
People undergoing kidney dialysis may also wish to avoid taking folic acid.
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water so the body cannot store them.Vitamin B6 is a group of related compounds. It is necessary for maintaining important functions in the body such as glucose and amino acid metabolism, production of RBCs, proper functioning of the nervous system, etc
- Vitamin B6 is used to treat or prevent vitamin B6 deficiency.
- It is also used to treat a certain type of anemia (lack of red blood cells).
- This medicine injection is also used to treat some types of seizure in babies.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) provides essential nutrients.
- Vitamin B6 helps the body to:
- Make antibodies. Antibodies are needed to fight many diseases.
- Maintain normal nerve function.
- Make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the red blood cells to the tissues. A vitamin B6 deficiency can cause a form of anemia.
- Break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
- Keep blood sugar (glucose) in normal ranges.
- Vitamin B6 is being studied in the prevention of hand-foot syndrome
- Clumsiness
- Numbness of hands or feet
- Unsteady walk
- Sleepiness
- Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
- Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary.
Vitamin B1 is found in many foods including yeast, cereal grains, beans, nuts, and
meat. It is often used in combination with other B vitamins, and found in many
vitamin B complex products.
It is used for the treatment and prevention of vitamin B1 deficiency. It is also used to
treat Beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Allergic reaction
Skin irritation
Cough
Decreased blood pressure
Difficulty in swallowing
Breathlessness
Facial swelling
Increased sweating
Vitamin B1 is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant or breast-feeding women if taken in proper
quantity.
Alcoholics and people with cirrhosis often have low levels of Vitamin B1. Nerve pain
in alcoholism can be worsened by Vitamin B1 deficiency. These people might
require Vitamin B1 supplements.
People undergoing hemodialysis treatments might have low levels of Vitamin B1.
People with heart failure might have low levels of Vitamin B1.
People that are critically ill such as those that had surgery might have low levels of
Vitamin B1.