Vitamin A (retinol)

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 2:40 pm

Hi Buddies!

Just want to make sure that everyone knows the recommendations are changing re vitamin A (retinol, NOT betacarotene) On multivitamins, the outdated daily value of 5000 IUs is too high. It should not exceed 2330 IUs for women and 3000 IUs for men. You might want to check your multiviamin label.

This change has occurred because some research is showing that higher levels of vitamin A may be toxic to bone and have been associated with fractures.

Some docs were telling patients to take 2 multivitamins daily in order to get a higher vitamin D dose....... NOT a good idea because of the potential vitamin A overload. This should be less of an issue now that we have so many single vitamin D supplements available.

Love,

Polly

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 3:27 pm

Thanks for posting this Polly. My GI doc is still recommending 5000IU / day and my levels were low during the last tests

-Joe

Post by **tex** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:04 pm

Polly,

My multivitamin has 2500 IU, so I guess I lucked out on that. I'm glad to see that official change in the recommendations.

Thanks.

Love,
Tex

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:09 pm

Polly,

I no longer take a multi but even when I did I always used a "senior" version because they have less vitamin A. I think once we are healed and eating paleo (high fruits and vegetables) we don't need a multi.

Mary Beth

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:20 am

Morning Polly,

Thanks for posting that information. Just checked my multi vitamin - which like Mary Beth had decided not to continue - and it is Freeda's with 5000 units. To the trash it goes.

Love, Maggie

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:42 pm

Well, that's pretty disconcerting. I also take Geri-Freeda vitamins and see that they have 5,000 IU of vitamin A. Freeda sells Vitamin A Palmitate 15,000 IUs! I hope they adjust the amount because there aren't too many options for those of us with multiple-intolerances.

Gloria

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:56 pm

Gloria,

The Freeda Children's formula only has 2500 IU. Possibly you could use this and supplement with extra D.

Mary Beth

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 8:46 pm

Good suggestion, Mary Beth. I'll look into that. Given my limited diet, I feel I need to take a supplement.

Gloria

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:54 am

Great suggestion Mary Beth and I will look into it to. Finished packing last night for our trip and have to stop today to pick up D3 since I didn't have an extra bottle. Your post prompted me looking.

Thanks, Maggie

Temple · Post by **Temple** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:43 pm

Polly,
I do not understand retinol versus beta carotene. Do you mean 2330 units of retinol only and no beta carotene? My vitamins express the units as 60% vitamin A acetate, 40% beta carotene. Is the acetate "retinol"? The total amount is 5,000 units, so I need to replace it anyway. Can you recommend a brand with the correct amount and type of A with no iron? Thanks.