What Is Vitamin A Measured In RAE?
Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids, like retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters. There are two forms of vitamin A are available in our diet: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that cannot synthesize in our body.
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Vitamin A Is Essential
Vitamin A is not just one vitamin. It is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids, like retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters.(source π)
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that cannot synthesize in the body. Therefore, must be obtained through diet. (source π)
What is RAE?
RAE stands for retinol activity equivalents. Itβs a measurement to count the different bioactivities of retinol and provitamin A carotenoids in foods.
IU, international units is another measurement. RAE can only be converted into IUs if the source or sources of vitamin A are known. (source π)
Two Forms Of Vitamin A
Two forms of vitamin A are available in the human diet: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A. (source π)
Preformed vitamin A is found in foods from animal sources, dairy products, fish, and meat. (source π)
Provitamin A carotenoid and is found in fruits and vegetables. The most abundant provitamin A is beta-carotene. Examples of other provitamins A carotenoids are alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. (source π)
The bioavailability of provitamin A carotenoids in fruit and vegetables is lower than once believed. It is difficult to fulfill the daily requirements through plant foods alone. (source π)
Toxicity Of Vitamin A
A high intake of vitamin A supplements over a prolonged period can lead to toxicity. Toxicity from food sources is rare. Supplementation should be used only periodically. (source π)