A deficiency of this fat-soluble vitamin can occur for several reasons. You can have a variation in your BC01 gene, which converts the inactive form of vitamin A from fruits and vegetables called beta-carotene to the active form that your body can use, retinyl palmitate. This active form of vitamin A is only found in animal food sources and dairy products. For example, concentrated natural omega-3 fish oil or liver oil are great sources of retinyl palmitate.

Individuals who eat a plant-based diet often exhibit lower levels of this active form of vitamin A. Bright orange fruits, like cantaloupe, and vegetables, like sweet potatoes, contain the carotenoid beta-carotene, an inactive or “pre-” vitamin form of vitamin A. Unfortunately, the conversion of this type of pre-vitamin to the actual vitamin A is not very efficient. This is why vitamin A supplements are often important for vegetarians, and particularly vegans. They are typically more prone to being below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA).^†

Zinc deficiency is another cause for low levels of vitamin A in the blood. Zinc is required to help transport vitamin A throughout the body, but a zinc deficiency means that less vitamin A stores in the liver are moved to the body’s tissues. If you have lower levels of vitamin A, consider having your zinc levels checked out, and look into supplementing with Zinc.

Start supporting your immune system today with a powerful serving of this bioavailable and essential nutrient!^†