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Vitamin A, the first recognised fat-soluble vitamin, is one that performs many important functions in the body. The most common are the promotion of good eyesight, bone growth and tissue healing, as a tonic to mucous membranes and to enhance immune function. Vitamin A’s role is essential for optimum vision in terms of the biochemical operation as well as the performance and ongoing health of the eye. Vitamin A deficiency initially appears as poor adaptation to changes in light and reduced night vision. In more severe cases, deficiencies can cause blindness and even death.
Vitamin A affects growth and development via its important role in the synthesis of many glucoproteins (eg: mucous), some of which control cell division and genetic expression. The effects of Vitamin A deficiency most readily appear as a breakdown in the mucous membranes that line the mouth and digestive system, the respiratory tract and genito-urinary tract.
Once referred to as the ‘anti-infective’ vitamin, Vitamin A has gained modern recognition as a major nutritional determinant of immune status. Immune system abnormalities associated with Vitamin A deficiency include impaired ability to launch an effective antibody response, decreased levels of helper T-cells, and alterations in the mucosal linings of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Individuals with low vitamin A status are more susceptible to infectious diseases such as measles, chicken pox, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), AIDS and pneumonia.

Thompson’s high potency Vitamin A 9000iu capsules contain the retinol (synthetic) form of vitamin A, ideal for people who wish to avoid the normal animal based source of the vitamin.