Vitamin A and Retinol
Vitamin A comes in many forms as used in the body, as an ester, as an acid and as an aldehyde. Retinol as an ester is converted by the liver into a form the body can use and this is done by attaching to a special protein and fatty acid. Vitamin A, retinol is also used in the manufacture of rhodopsin, which is an eye pigment and is used in the eye in the parts that detect black-and-white light. This is commonly known as night vision. Vitamin A also requires the use of beta carotene to make successful conversions. As they used to say that eating carrots helps with night vision is only half the story, vitamin A is also needed and that is taken mostly from animal fat derived products, such as milk, beef, fish and various sub products. The liver stores retinol as an ester, and this is a small reservoir, and once full can store no more, and excess vitamin A can damage the body.
The purpose of binding retinol with other compounds is necessary for the body so that it is not removed from the blood by the other organs. This hydrolyzed compound is essential in so many areas that a depleted stock would cause many problems. This type is often called vitamin A palmitate.
When low dosage retinol cream is used on the skin it can penetrate very deep this immediately improves as the skin quality and appearance, and has been known to remove the visibility of skin freckling. It has also been known to repair damage caused by the sun, and also from accidental burns.
When trying to absorb vitamin A through normal means, that is by eating it, it is best not to overcook the foods, or better still to keep the foods as raw as possible. This is fine for dairy produce, not so for the fish, and that the beef, although if can be eaten quite raw if it is prepared and has been kept in a place where it is uncontaminated.
