Vitamin A absorption

As we spoke before, 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀 is 𝘧𝘢𝘵-𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦.⁣⁣

We don’t eat Vit A, even in supplements.⁣⁣

When we consume fruits, vegetables or supplements, in reality, we are taking something called “𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺𝘭 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴” (also known as preformed Vit A) or 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘈.⁣⁣

One way or another, they suffer alterations to become 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘴. This is simply because those are easier absorbed in the small bowel.⁣⁣

• As they are absorbed, small molecules called “𝐜𝐡𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬” will transport them into the Liver.⁣⁣
  
• If the Liver has reached its full capacity of Vitamin A, other small molecules called 𝐕𝐋𝐃𝐋 (𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘓𝘰𝘸-𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘴) will transport it (often already changed into retinyl palmitate) to other tissues.⁣⁣
  

Those tissues are mainly:⁣⁣

1. Adipose tissue (AKA fat)⁣⁣
   
2. Lungs⁣⁣
3. Kidneys⁣⁣

Another group of molecules called 𝐋𝐃𝐋 (𝘓𝘰𝘸-𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘴) might also do that transport.⁣⁣

𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰:⁣⁣

• VLDL and LDL are what is called “bad cholesterol”⁣⁣
  
• ️HDL is what is called “good cholesterol”⁣⁣

Bear in mind any disease affecting the bowels (and I am referring to the 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘭) will affect fat absorption capacity. In turn, this will affect Vitamin A absorption as well.

Remember we spoke about Vit A being fat soluble?⁣⁣

Conditions that affect Vit A absorption:⁣⁣

1. Cystic Fibrosis⁣⁣
   
2. Pancreatic problems⁣⁣
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease⁣⁣
4. Cholestasis (conditions preventing bile passing to the bowel, from the Liver)⁣⁣
5. Small bowel bypass surgery⁣⁣
6. Significant parasitic infestation⁣⁣
7. Kidney problems⁣⁣
8. Alcoholism⁣⁣
9. Low fat in the diet⁣⁣

People with any of these conditions should take 𝐕𝐢𝐭 𝐀 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.⁣⁣

When Vit A is not absorbed, it will be excreted in stools.⁣⁣
The one that becomes inactivated in the bloodstream will be excreted in the urine.⁣⁣

The big problem is that our body absorbs Vit A better than it destroys it.
This can lead to excessive accumulation and 𝐕𝐢𝐭 𝐀 𝐭𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲.

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