Vitamin A is one of the true staples of good health. While you may recognise it as retinol in your skincare, its real work happens beneath the surface – maintaining everything from the normal function of your immune system to how clearly you see in low light. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and vision, and to the normal function of the immune system.
Vitamin A comes in two forms: retinol (from animal sources like eggs, oily fish and liver) and beta-carotene (from brightly coloured fruit and vegetables like sweet potatoes, mango and spinach), which your body converts into vitamin A. Most people can meet the recommended daily amount through a balanced diet, but supplements can help if you're not getting enough from food alone – particularly if you have a condition that affects nutrient absorption, or follow a plant-based diet without adequate beta-carotene-rich foods.
