Functional Partners in Pediatrics

Do you know vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver and adipose tissue, and it can be obtained from both animal and plant sources.

We need vitamin A in our body for reproduction, cellular communication, vision, growth & development, immune function, skin health, etc.

The human body cannot produce vitamin A on its own, so it must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Vitamin A deficiency was once considered a problem in developing countries only, but more recently, VAD and vitamin A insufficiencies have become a relatively common feature of the developed world.

Japan is considered a developed country with a high standard of living and access to nutritious food, so vitamin A deficiency is not common in Japan; however, a study in Japan concluded that vitamin A supplementation can reduce the severity and mortality of measles and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

There are some situations where the amount of Vitamin A needed by the body can vary such as pregnancy & lactation, age, gender, health status.

Excessive intake of Vitamin A can lead to toxicity especially if taken over a long period of time. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before taking any Vitamin A supplements to factor in your child’s individual circumstances.

Do you know vitamin A? Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver and adipose tissue, and it can be obtained from both animal and plant sources. The two types of vitamin A are preformed vitamin A (retinoids) and provitamin A carotenoids. Retinoids are found in animal sources, while carotenoids are found in plant sources. Here are some of the animal and plant sources that contain the highest amount of vitamin A. 🥩Animal Sources: -Grass fed beef Liver -Wild caught Fish -Egg yolks from pasture raised chickens -Fat from grass fed beef 🥕Plant Sources: -Sweet potatoes -Carrots -Spinach We need vitamin A in our body for reproduction, cellular communication, vision, growth & development, immune function, skin health, etc. The human body cannot produce vitamin A on its own, so it must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Vitamin A deficiency was once considered a problem in developing countries only, but more recently, VAD and vitamin A insufficiencies have become a relatively common feature of the developed world. Japan is considered a developed country with a high standard of living and access to nutritious food, so vitamin A deficiency is not common in Japan; however, a study in Japan concluded that vitamin A supplementation can reduce the severity and mortality of measles and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). There are some situations where the amount of Vitamin A needed by the body can vary such as pregnancy & lactation, age, gender, health status. Excessive intake of Vitamin A can lead to toxicity especially if taken over a long period of time. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before taking any Vitamin A supplements to factor in your child’s individual circumstances.

Food Is Medicine with Nadia Kravchuk, DNP, FNP-C Pediatric Functional Practitioner In this informative and engaging video, Nadia Kravchuk, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Pediatric Functional Practitioner, discusses the powerful role that ...