Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is essential to the formation of
visual purple in the retina, which allows vision in dim light. Beta
carotene, the precursor to vitamin A found in vegetables, has
antioxidant properties, meaning it protects cells from the toxic
damage of oxidation. Excessive amounts of vitamin A increase the
risk of fractures.
Review Date: 03/10/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
