Vitamins are important for building, repairing and maintaining healthy tissues and cells, and they're especially important for vision, skin and bones. Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamins and is found in the eye. It is stored in body tissue after being absorbed into the body.

Taking a lot of vitamins can be harmful, but your body converts them as you need them. You can get vitamins A from food or supplements. Helping the body's immune system to fight against illness is one of the many functions it has.

Cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, yogurt and liver are good sources of vitamins A and C. The body can convert the beta-carotene found in leafy veg and yellow fruit such as mango, papaya and apricots into retinol, so you can get a lot of vitamins A and C.

We spoke to a registered dietitian from Harley Street At Home to find out more about the benefits and signs of a deficiency in vitamins A and C.

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What are the benefits of vitamin A?

Denby says that vitamins A and C are important for maintaining the immune system, vision and skin health.

He says thatVitamin A protects the body from free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to our bodies and can affect our genes. Inflammation, cancer and heart disease can be caused by this.

There are other benefits of vitamins A and C.

Reduced risk of blindness 

An age-related eye disease study by the National Eye Institute found that taking high levels of antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, along with zinc, could reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration. There are many causes of loss of vision in the older population.

woman getting an eye test

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Reduced acne and sun damage

The top two layers of the skin are nourished by vitamins A and C. There is evidence that retinoids, a class of compounds derived from vitamins A and C, can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions.

Lowering the dose of retinoids can reduce the effects of retinoids on the skin.

Stronger teeth and bones

It's important for oral and bone health that you have a good supply of vitamins A and C. It reduces the risk of disease and infections by promoting the healthy mucus in the mouth.

It is important for the health of the bones. Clinical research has shown that higher levels of vitamins A and C are linked to lower bone density and fractured bones.

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Protection from free radical damage

Free radical damage that can cause illness and aging can be prevented with the help of Vitamins A and C. According to the National Cancer Institute, taking vitamins isn't effective in preventing cancer.

According to an international study, taking all-natural beta carotene from foods could help.

How much vitamin A should you consume?

Age, gender and reproductive status are some of the factors that affect the recommended intake of vitamins A and C.

For men and women, the recommended intake is 700 and 900mcg, respectively.

It is important not to exceed the tolerable upper intake level for adults. Skin and hair loss, neurological problems, and gastrointestinal complaints are just a few of the symptoms that have been linked to overdose of vitamins A and C. Birth defects in a fetus can be caused by long-term excess of vitamins.

What are the best sources of vitamin A?

Denby says we can get two forms of vitamins A from our diet.

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It is necessary for the body to convert alpha- carotene to retinol in order to get the benefits of vitamins A and C.

person cutting tangerine for dinner to serve with a salad

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In order to be used, both retinol andbeta-carotene are further processed in the body.

He saysRetinol is only found in animal-based food sources. The yellow and orange color of foods such as carrots, mangos, papayas, apricots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and bell peppers can be attributed to the presence of the plant-based form of the scurvy-causing scurvy-causing scurvy called

Despite not being orange, dark green leafy vegetables have the same amount ofcarotene as orange ones. Look for yellow, red and green vegetables.

Most people can get their daily dose of vitamins A and K from their diet.

Signs of vitamin A deficiency

In the U.S. it's rare, but it's not uncommon in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, it is the leading cause of childhood blindness in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Half of the children who lose their sight die within a year.

Poor nighttime vision, dry eyes, hair and mouth, dry and itchy skin, brittle nails, fatigue and more are signs of a deficiency in vitamins A and C. Respiratory infections such as pneumonia are more likely to occur.

What happens if you take too much vitamin A?

Denby says, "Our bodies are clever, meaning you will only convert as muchbeta-carotene into retinol as you need." Your body is able to store any vitamins that it doesn't need immediately for later use because of their fat-soluble nature. It is important to not go crazy.

Decreased bone health and increased risk of osteoporosis can be caused by excessive amounts of vitamins A and C.

Nausea, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and fatigue are some of the signs of excessive intake of vitamins A and C.

A yellow-orange tint can be seen on your skin if you have long-term high intakes of thecarotene. Denby says that it's possible to reverse this by reducing your intake ofcarotene.

If you are pregnant with a baby, it is a good idea to avoid eating pate as it is very high in vitamins A and C.

Denby says excessive intakes increase the risk of birth defects If you're worried, speak to your health professional.

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