Vitamin A, also known as retinol, has several important functions.
These include:
- helping yourbody's natural defence against illnessand infection (theimmune system) work properly
- helping vision in dim light
- keeping skin andthe lining of some parts of the body, such as the nose, healthy
Good sources of vitamin A
Good sources of vitamin A (retinol) include:
- cheese
- eggs
- oily fish
- fortified low-fat spreads
- milk and yoghurt
- liver and liver products such as liver pâté– this is a particularly rich source of vitamin A, so you may be at risk of havingtoo much vitamin A if youhave itmore than once a week(if you're pregnant you should avoid eating liver or liver products)
You can also get vitamin A by including good sources of beta-carotene in your diet, as the bodycanconvert this into retinol.
The main food sources of beta-carotene are:
- yellow, redand green (leafy) vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoesand red peppers
- yellow fruit, such as mango,papaya and apricots
How much vitamin A do I need?
The total vitamin A content of a food is usually expressed as micrograms (µg) of retinol equivalents (RE).
The amount of vitamin A adults aged 19 to 64 need is:
- 700 µg a day for men
- 600 µg a day for women
You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need from your diet.
Any vitamin A your body does not need immediately is stored for future use. This means you do not need it every day.
Whathappens if I take too much vitamin A?
Some research suggests that having more than an average of 1.5 mg (1,500 µg) a day of vitamin A over many years may affect your bones, making them more likely to fracture when you're older.
This is particularly important for older people, especially women, who are already at increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones.
If you eat liver or liver pâté more than once a week, youmay be getting too muchvitamin A.
Many multivitamins contain vitamin A. Other supplements, such as fish liver oil, are also high in vitamin A.
If you take supplements containing vitamin A, make sure your daily intake from food and supplements does not exceed1.5 mg (1,500 µg).
If you eat liver every week, do not take supplements that contain vitamin A.
Ifyou're pregnant
Having large amounts of vitamin A can harm your unborn baby. So if you're pregnant or thinking about having a baby, do not eat liver or liver products, such as pâté, because these are very high in vitamin A.
Also avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A. Speak to your GP or midwife if you would like more information.
Whatdoes theDepartment of Health and Social Care advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
If you take a supplement that contains vitamin A, do not take too much because this could be harmful.
Liver is a very rich source of vitamin A. Do not eat liver or liver products, such as pâté, more than once a week.
You should alsobe aware of how muchvitamin A thereisin any supplements you take.
If you're pregnant or thinking of having a baby:
- avoid taking supplements containing vitamin A, including fish liver oil, unlessadvised to by yourGP
- avoid liver or liver products, such as pâté, as these are very high in vitamin A
Women who have been through themenopause and older men, who are more at risk of osteoporosis, should avoid having more than 1.5mg of vitamin A a day from food and supplements.
This means:
- not eating liver or liver products, such as pâté, more than once a week, or having smaller portions of these
- taking no more than 1.5mg of vitamin A a day in supplements (including fish liver oil) if you do not eat liver or liver products
- not taking any supplements containing vitamin A (including fish liver oil) if you eat liver once a week
Having an average of1.5mg a day or less of vitamin Afrom diet and supplements combined is unlikely to cause any harm.
Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020
Next review due: 03 August 2023
