Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays important roles in maintaining normal vision, reproduction and immune function. The term vitamin A refers to preformed vitamin A (found only in animal products) and it's components termed provitamin A carotenoids (found in oils, fruits, and vegetables).
Supports healthy immune function.
Supports eye function.
Supports reproductive health.
| Age group | Vitamin A (μg/day) |
| 1–3 years | 300 |
| 4–8 years | 400 |
| 9–13 years | 600 |
| 14–18 years | 900 (boys); 700 (girls) |
| 19–70 years | 900 (boys); 700 (girls) |
| Pregnancy | 800 |
| Lactation | 1100 |
Natural sources of vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids include:2
These nutrients may also be found in fortified foods such as:2
Provitamin A carotenoids are found in plant-based foods.1
Pre-formed vitamin A is found in animal-based products.1
Whilst quite rare in Western countries, people with conditions that cause malabsorption such as Chron's disease may lead to vitamin A deficiency. Other conditions including malnutrition, self-restrictive diets, cirrhosis, alcoholism and cystic fibrosis can also contribute to vitamin A deficiency.
Mild vitamin A deficiency is associated with symptoms including:
Severe vitamin A deficiency is associated with:
Vitamin A impacts immune health by stimulating responses that protect your body from illnesses and infections.
Food for Special Medical Purposes. Use only under medical supervision.
References: 1. National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government Department of Health Ageing, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council. (2006). 2. Harvard School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source – Vitamin A. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/. Accessed: September 2023.
ANZ.2023.42467.ALL -AND -PND.1 (v1.1)
Abbott Family - Supporting your nutritional needs for life
© 2023 Abbott Nutrition. All Rights Reserved. ANZ.2023.38177.ALL -AND -CORP -ELE -ENS -GLU -JEV -NEP -OSM -PDS -PED -PND -PUL -PUM -TUBE -TWO -VIT.1 (v1.2)
Links which take you out of Abbott worldwide websites are not under the control of Abbott, and Abbott is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site. Abbott is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the linked site by Abbott.
The website that you have requested also may not be optimized for your screen size.
Do you wish to continue and exit this website?
STAY CONNECTED