Vitamin A, also known as “retinol”, is a micronutrient essential for human health, and is considered an indispensable source of well-being that supports the healthy development of the organism. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin discovered by Swiss chemist Paul Karrer in the 1930s. However, already at the beginning of the century, many scientists had noticed that some foods, such as butter and eggs, contain a fat-soluble factor essential for healthy development in rats. By the 1920s, it was understood that a nutritional deficiency in this factor could be related to growth disorders, especially in children. Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for various bodily functions. First of all, it supports some enzymatic processes necessary for healthy bone formation, as well as maintaining ovarian and testicular function. It performs different functions such as cellular storage, transport and differentiation, but its most important and most recognised functions concern vision, in particular the functioning of photoreceptors on the retina, as well as the normal growth process of the foetus from the embryonic phase. Its benefits for vision are in fact the best known, so much so that in popular tradition, it is often considered an excellent aid for good sight. The benefits of vitamin A do not end there: it also has effective dermatological functions, helping to fight eczema, psoriasis and juvenile acne; it promotes the conditioning of hair, nails and mucous membranes, delays ageing and stimulates cellular renewal. This vitamin helps to maintain the integrity of the epithelia (tissues that cover the internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs), and should be considered a real ally in the defence of the skin since its presence boosts protection against damage from sun exposure. Vitamin A also provides protection for the male and female reproductive systems, promoting increased sperm production and reducing the unpleasant effects of premenstrual syndrome. Vitamin A is an effective antioxidant, protecting against free radicals, especially when combined with vitamin E, which helps to slow the cellular ageing process, as well as for keeping hair, nails and mucous membranes in shape.
