Increased Vitamin A Intake Linked To Reduced Skin Cancer Risk: Study
In a recent study, researchers found out that intake of Vitamin might lead to a lower risk of skin cancer. The study conducted on 12,500 Americans highlighted that individuals intaking more vitamin A had a reduced squamous cell skin cancer by 15 per cent.
The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) also highlighted that participants got their major source of vitamins from the food instead of supplements.
Focusing on the importance of adding fruits and vegetables as a part of our diet, Eunyoung Cho stressed that these findings add another reason to have a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables.
According to the study, Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or skin cancer is the second-most common type of cancer among fair skin individuals and vitamin A has the potential of helping in the healthy growth and maturation of skin cells but earlier studies on its effectiveness in reducing skin cancer risk have been mixed.
Further, Cho said too much-preformed vitamin A (typically from supplements and some animal foods) increases the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures.
According to the National Health Portal, Vitamin A is active in maintaining the health of epithelial cells and the stability of membranes and night vision. It is found mainly in foods of animal origin. However, one of its precursors, B-carotene found in plants, can be converted to vitamin A in the body.
Also, U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) lists sweet potato, cantaloupe, carrots, black-eyed peas, sweet red peppers, broccoli, spinach, dairy foods, fish and meat as dietary sources of Vitamin A.
In India, there are programs to reduce the burden of micronutrient deficiencies like Vitamin A prophylaxis programme in which prophylactic Vitamin A is given to children up to 6 years along with early detection and treatment of deficiency if present.
Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamins A carotenoids.
