Vitamin A

Vitamin A Vitamins & Supplements at Walgreens

Vitamin A is an important nutrient that promotes our health in many ways. From vision to immune health, vitamin A consumption can help protect our bodies through food sources, multivitamin, and supplements. Walgreens carries multiple over the counter options for vitamin A supplements available in stores and online. 

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a nutrient stored in the liver. It plays an important role in vision, immunity, cellular health, and reproduction. Two types of vitamin A are found in our diets. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products. Precursors to vitamin A, also called provitamin A carotenoids, are found in plant-based foods.

What are the benefits of vitamin A?

There are many benefits of vitamin A. It promotes healthy skin, teeth, and bones. It also plays a role in strong eyesight, healthy pregnancies, and breastfeeding. Many provitamin A carotenoids contain antioxidants, such as beta-carotene found in colorful vegetables. Antioxidants help to fight against damage from substances called free radicals, which can be harmful to our bodies and may contribute to disease. 

How can I increase my vitamin A?

Vitamin A can be found in animal and plant products. The foods with the highest amount of preformed vitamin A are liver and fish oil, and this form of vitamin A can also be found in eggs and milk. Provitamin A carotenoids can be found in dark and colorful vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, squash, and spinach. Increasing your consumption of these foods can help increase your vitamin A intake.

Vitamin A can also be taken in supplement form, either in a multivitamin or as a standalone supplement. Vitamin A supplements can contain preformed vitamin A, provitamin A carotenoids, or a combination of both. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide which vitamin A supplement is best for you.

Can I buy vitamin A over the counter at Walgreens?

Yes, you can buy vitamin A over the counter at Walgreens. Vitamin A is available in the form of multivitamins or supplements in Walgreens stores and online. There are different dosages available for purchase to suit each customer’s needs. Consult with a pharmacist if you have any questions about buying vitamin A over the counter.  

How many milligrams of vitamin A can I take in one day?

The recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin A is 900 micrograms (mcg) for adult men and 700 mcg for adult women. It is possible to take too much vitamin A. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is the maximum amount someone can take daily before causing harm. For preformed vitamin A, the UL is 3,000 mcg.

What form does vitamin A come in?

Vitamin A comes in two forms in our diets. The first is preformed vitamin A, sometimes known as vitamin A from retinol or retinyl ester. This is found in many animal products such as liver, eggs, and fish oil. The other form of vitamin A is precursors to vitamin A, called provitamin A carotenoids, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables. The most common form of this type of vitamin A is beta carotene which is found in colorful fruits and dark leafy vegetables. Vitamin A supplements may contain either form of vitamin A, but it’s most common for supplements to contain preformed vitamin A with retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate.

What does vitamin A do for your skin?

Vitamin A can have positive effects on skin, bones, and nail health. Vitamin A in the form of retinoid is often found in skin products and serums. There is evidence to suggest that retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the amount of collagen protein in our skin. Collagen protein plays an important role in keeping our skin tissue and bones strong.

It is important to make sure you are getting enough vitamin A through diet or supplements. Vitamin A deficiency can cause dry skin and hair, and may also cause more serious side effects.

Who should take vitamin A?

Most people can get enough vitamin A through their diet if they eat a variety of plant-based or animal products. If you feel vitamin A supplementation is best for you, speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist about your options. It is important for everyone to get enough vitamin A, and recommended amounts vary by a person’s age and sex.

When is the best time to take vitamin A?

Vitamin A vitamins and supplements should be taken according to the label instructions. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient, which means that the body needs fat to absorb it. Most vitamin A supplements come in soft gel form containing a small amount of oil for absorption.  It is often recommended to take multivitamins with food to help your body absorb the nutrients.

What foods contain vitamin A?

Many animal products contain preformed vitamin A (retinol), including liver, fish oil, meat, eggs, and milk. Fruits and vegetables offer provitamin A carotenoids such as beta carotene, and the highest amounts are found in colorful fruits and vegetables like peppers, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, and mangoes. Some breakfast cereals are also fortified with vitamin A.