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Paleo Diet Primal Vitamin A Beta Carotene Toxicity-min

Do You Get Too Much Vitamin A?

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which is either found ready formed – for example in animal products such as meat and dairy – or as pro-vitamin A, beta carotene, in fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene is then converted into Vitamin A in the body, with the help of the hormone thyroid.

Vitamin A is crucial for many functions, such as vision, reproduction, breast feeding and in maintaining healthy skin, teeth and bones.

Liver is a great source of vitamin A. For beta carotene, the more intensely coloured the fruit or vegetables – the higher the amount of beta carotene it provides. Supplements wise, cod liver oil is an excellent source (just make sure you check the ingredients and choose a good quality supplement).

Paleo Diet Primal Vitamin A Beta Carotene Toxicity-min

Vitamin A Toxicity

If you don’t get enough vitamin A you can experience immune and vision issues – but conversely it is equally problematic getting too much. In fact excess vitamin A has even been shown to result in birth defects. Excessive consumption of beta carotene is not so serious, but it will make your skin turn yellow or orange, which would look rather alarming! Fortunately the skin will return to it’s normal colour once intake of beta carotene is reduced.

Another issue with excessive levels of vitamin A, are that it appears to reduce the bodies ability to utilise Vitamin D. As people tend to be deficient in Vitamin D (perhaps more so than Vitamin A), this could be a real problem. As with so many vitamins and minerals, it appears having a good balance is crucial.

Have you had your levels checked? How were they? Are you concerned about toxicity? Please share your experiences in the comments below.

Paleo Vitamin A Soup Recipe-min

Vitamin A Soup Recipe

Well, actually, it’s Butternut Squash, Carrot and Sweet Potato soup – but these three are loaded with Vitamin A and Beta-carotene as well as many other vitamins and minerals.

I love soup – even though it’s summer here in Australia at the moment, I still eat it regularly.  I find it really filling as a meal on its own and easy to make in advance.  This is something I make in the largest pot I have and separate out into lots of individual portions, before freezing.  I make lots of different soups, but this one is my favourite as it’s sweet and has a great texture.

Vitamin A Soup Recipe
Recipe type: Soups
Ingredients
  • 1 Butternut Squash
  • 6 Carrots
  • 1 Small Sweet Potato
  • 2 Small Onions
  • Chicken Stock
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Nutmeg
  • Corriander
  • Salt & Pepper
Instructions
  1. I slice the onion and sauté it in the coconut oil in a large pot. Once it’s ready I add the chicken stock (this is something I make up in advance and take out of the freezer to defrost).
  2. I roughly cut all the vegetables into chunks before adding them to the pot. I then turn the heat down to a simmer and allow the vegetables to cook for 30 minutes or so, adding the seasoning. I add the nutmeg and coriander at the end and turn off the heat.
  3. I don’t drain the pot, but instead transfer it all into my blender (in several batches) and blend it until it reaches a nice constituency. Once it’s all blended I separate it into individual portions and freeze.

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Paleo Vitamin A Soup Recipe-min