Significant Functions of Vitamin A

Significant Functions of Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also referred to as retinol, is an essential nutrient required in a small quantity in order to ensure normal and healthy functioning of different bodily systems including vision, growth and development, safeguarding of epithelial cellular integrity, improved immune function, and reproduction. Essentially, the functions of vitamin A in the human body system can be categorized under two distinct segments – (1) vision and (2) rest of the body. In this article, we will shade light on these segments in order to find out the significant functions of vitamin A in human body.

Maintenance of Visual Cycle

The maintenance of visual cycle within the retina located in the eye is one of the most significant functions of vitamin A. Vitamin A is carried to the ocular tissue as well as to the retina. The production of the visual pigmentation, known as rhodopsin, is greatly influenced in the presence of vitamin A. In fact, the absence of vitamin A obstructs the photochemical reactions responsible for seeing objects in the dim light, hence