Vitamin A Essay, Research Paper

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A gives us nutrients and is necessary to maintain good health. Vitamin A affects the formation and maintenance of skin, mucous membranes, bones and teeth. It is also necessary for vision and reproduction.

Vitamin A can be found in many foods, such as asparagus, beets, carrots, cod liver oil, fish, leafy green vegetables, margarine, meat, milk, and tomatoes. All these foods are very healthy and should be a regular part of our diet.

I learned some very interesting things about Vitamin A. I learned that Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed with the help of foods that contain fat. Because fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body, a person does not have to eat it every day to meet the body’s needs. Most people get enough Vitamin A from the foods they eat. A deficiency in Vitamin A however, can cause blindness and extremely dry skin.

But some studies also show that too much Vitamin A can actually weaken bones and cartilage.

CALCIUM

Calcium is needed for people of all ages to maintain good health. It is a mineral that helps form and maintain healthy bones and teeth. It is also required for normal blood clotting, heart function and muscle contractions.

Calcium can be found in many foods. One of the best sources of calcium is milk and milk products. Calcium can also be found in foods, such as sardines, oysters, soybeans, cabbage, and broccoli.

I learned that calcium is very important to maintain healthy teeth and bones. It is recommended that children drink about 3-4 servings of milk per day, because it is the best source of calcium. I also learned that calcium can not be absorbed easily without vitamin D. And a deficiency of Calcium can cause osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disorder in which the bones become weak and brittle.