VITAMIN - A

1. Discovered by Macollum.
2. Also known as Retinol / Antixeropthalmic vitamin / Auxerophthol.
3. It is vitamin for normal vision. It forms retinal pigments rhodopsin & iodopsin.
4. It is anti-infective vitamin.
5. It is stored in liver.
6. Its deficiency cause toad skin (follicular hyperkeratosis).
7. Its deficiency causes night blindness (Nyctolopia / Henerolopia).
8. It's deficiency causes xeropthalmia, in which cornea becomes dry, keratinization of cornea start, tear formation absent & it may lead to total blindness.
9. Keratomalesia is due to prolonged deficiency of vitamin A, in which keratinization & degeneration of cornea takes place.
10. Vitamin A prevents keratin deposition in surface cells and glandular epithelium.
11. Source of vitamin A - carrot, guava, papaya, mango, liver, egg, yolk & cod liver oil.