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A Vitamin a Day Keeps What Away?

Test Your Knowledge

By Donna Smith

Most of us have that bottle of multivitamins sitting in our medicine cabinet, but how much do you really know about vitamins? What do they do for our bodies? Can you take too much? Which foods are good sources of certain vitamins? Take this quiz and find out!

A. Helping maintain healthy skin, eyesight, bone growth and tooth development; enhancing the immune system so we are better able to fight infection; and may reduce the risk of lung and oral cancers.

B. Helping the body break down amino acids and metabolize fats and carbohydrates; keeping the central nervous system working properly; promoting the formation of antibodies; and helping the body maintain the proper sodium and phosphorous balance.

A. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy skin, eyesight, bone growth and tooth development; enhances our immune system so we are better able to fight infection; and may reduce the risk of lung and oral cancers. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin composed of compounds called carotenoids and retinoids (retinal). Carotenoids, or beta carotene, are converted to vitamin A in the body. Lack of vitamin A could result in night blindness, increased risk of infections, fatigue and gum and teeth problems. Too much vitamin A could result in liver damage, hair loss, headaches, loss of appetite and possible birth defects. Excessive amounts of beta carotene can cause skin to appear orange, especially on the palms of the hands.

Good sources of vitamin A include fortified milk, beef liver, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, cod liver oil, cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Beta carotene can be found in deep orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.

A. Keeping the heart functioning properly, helping us generate energy, promoting the digestion of carbohydrates, keeping the nervous system working properly and promoting good muscle growth and tone.

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