6 Best Vitamin A Supplements, According to Dietitian.

Vitamin A is an important micronutrient that has many benefits for health.

Vitamin A can be found naturally in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes, but many people also take vitamin A supplements for the benefits they provide for eye health and antioxidant protection.

There are certain groups of people who are more likely to need a vitamin A supplement, including premature infants, people with cystic fibrosis, and women and children in developing countries.

If you fall into one of these categories, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not you need a supplement.

Here are a dietitian’s picks of the 6 best vitamin A supplements of 2022.

A quick look at the best vitamin A supplements

• Best non GMO: Bronson Vitamin A
• Best Cod liver oil: Swanson Vitamin A
• Best Vitamin A for Skin: Nutricost Vitamin A
• Best Vitamin A for Acne: Horbaach Vitamin A
• Vegan Vitamin A supplement: Pure Therepro Rx Vegan Full Spectrum Drop
• Best Vitamin A for Eyes: Now Food Vitamin A

How we chose

The supplements on this list were selected based on the following criteria:

• Third-party testing. We prioritized supplements that are third-party tested.
• Ingredient quality. The highest quality supplements contain a limited number of additives and fillers.
• Dosage. Supplements provide varying amounts of vitamin A to help you meet your needs.
• Absorption. Each product contains added fat or oil and is formulated to maximize absorption
• Form. We included supplements made with various forms of vitamin A to provide options for everyone.

1. Bronson Vitamin A

• Price: around 10$
• Dosage: 250-count, 3,000 mcg per softgel serving
• Foam: Softgel

These soybean oil-based, non-GMO vitamin A supplements also contain gelatin, glycerin, and purified water.

The company produces its supplements in a GMP-certified facility and is also working to reduce its carbon emissions by removing excess packaging air and water.

As a dietary supplement for adults, take one soft gel daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a health professional.

WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

2. Swanson Vitamin A

• Price: around $9
• Dosage: 250- servings, 3000mcg per one softgel.
• Foam: Softgel

At 200 percent of the DV for vitamin A per serving, this is a good option. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, it’s not an option for you, though, since it has gelatin and beeswax. It also has some additives like soy lecithin, an emulsifier that holds ingredients together, that some may be sensitive to consuming (esp. those with soy allergies).

The supplement went through third-party testing to check product quality. Reviewers were really happy with the results, including benefits like better eyesight, stronger hair, and healthier nails. A few people mentioned that the vitamins looked hot and stuck together when they arrived, but that seems to be more of a transit issue rather than anything to do with the quality of the product.

Other ingredients: Flaxseed oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and tocopherols.

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel per day with water.

WARNING: For adults only. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Do not use it if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing. Not intended for long-term use unless under medical supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are taking medication or have a medical condition.

3. Nutricost Vitamin A

• Price: around $17
• Dosage: 500- servings, 10,000iu per one softgel.
• Foam: Softgel

At Nutricost, we want to give you the best possible product, which is why the company packed 500 vitamins A softgels into each bottle. 10,000iu per serving means that this bottle will last you a long time.

It is a non-GMO and gluten-free policy means that you can trust us to give you a quality product.

The trustable thing is that the company is tested by third-party testing and GMP-compliant, FDA-registered facility guarantees that you’re getting a product that the company is proud of.

Other Ingredients: Vitamin A (from Retinyl Palmitate), Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Water, Fish Liver Oil.

As a dietary supplement, take 1-2 soft gels daily, preferably with meals or as directed by your physician.

4. Horbaach Vitamin A + D3

• Price: $9
• Dosage: 300- servings, 3000mcg per one softgel.
• Foam: Softgel

With vitamin A Horbaach also include vitamin D, there are a lot of essential nutrients that our bodies can’t synthesize on their own and two of those happen to be vitamins A and D. You can get these much-needed vitamins from different types of food such as dairy, soy, and nuts.

Even though you can get these vitamins from food, there are certain factors that can prevent you from getting the right amount. This is where supplements come in to provide you with the nutrients you need.

This innovative supplement combines 3,000 mcg of Vitamin A plus 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of Vitamin D3 in just one softgel for powerful nutritional support. 

It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and preservative-free, providing exceptional quality support for men and women everywhere. Enjoy Vitamins A & D and get exceptional value with our 300-softgel supply.

Other Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, also included Vitamin A (as Retinyl Palmitate and Cod Liver Oil).

For adults, take one (1) quick-release softgel daily, preferably with a meal.

5. Pure Therapro Rx Vegan Full Spectrum Drop

• Price: $28
• Dosage: 90 drops- servings, 1507mcg per 5 drops.
• Foam: liquid.

This liquid supplement provides an easy and convenient way to get your daily recommended intake of three important fat-soluble vitamins – vitamins A, D, and K.

The product has been third-party tested for safety and contains no soy or GMOs. Additionally, there are no fillers included – just a small amount of added fat to help your body more effectively absorb the vitamins.

However, when taking fat-soluble vitamin supplements, it’s important to be careful as they may build up in your stored body fat and lead to vitamin toxicity. It’s usually best to only take them when directed by a healthcare professional.

Take up to 5 drops (like a raindrop) daily, or as directed by your health care professional.

6. Now Food Vitamin A

• Price: $6
• Dosage: 100 softgel- servings, 3000mcg per softgel.
• Foam: softgel.

NOW Foods has created a supplement that contains a clear and concise list of ingredients. The active ingredient, vitamin A, is derived from fish liver oil while soybean oil has been included to improve absorption rates.

This product is also non-GMO and free from soy. Each serving provides 200% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A.

NOW Foods is also certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a third-party organization that evaluates and certifies facilities to ensure they adhere to good manufacturing practices.

UL certification gives consumers an extra level of assurance that NOW Foods products are manufactured in a safe and high-quality environment.

Other Ingredients: Softgel Capsule [bovine gelatin (BSE-free), glycerin, water] and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Take 1 softgel daily with a meal.

Product Comparison

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, has several important functions.

These include:

• helping your body’s natural defense against illness and infection (the immune system) work properly
• helping vision in dim light
• keeping skin and the lining of some parts of the body, such as the nose, healthy
• Having enough vitamin A in your diet helps keep your immune system healthy and functioning at its best.
• Adequate amounts of vitamin A in the diet are essential for reproductive health and the healthy development of babies during pregnancy.
• Daily usage of vitamin A consumers also claims that it prevents and stops the growth of acne.

What natural foods provide vitamin A?

Vitamin A is found naturally in many foods and is added to some foods, such as milk and cereal. You can get recommended amounts of vitamin A by eating a variety of foods, including the following:

• You can add vitamin A to the body by consuming eggs
• Some types of fish, such as herring and salmon also contain vitamin a
• Beef liver and other organ meats (which are also high in cholesterol, so limit the amount you eat)
• Green leafy vegetables and other green, orange, and yellow vegetables, such as spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and winter squash
• Fruits, including cantaloupe, mangos, and apricots
• Dairy products, such as milk and cheese
• Fortified breakfast cereals

What happens if I don’t get enough vitamin A?

If you not consuming enough vitamin A as the body needs, you can see some common signs.

The most common sign of vitamin A deficiency is an eye condition called xerophthalmia. Xerophthalmia is the inability to see in low light (after sunset), and it can lead to blindness if it isn’t treated.

A long-term deficiency of vitamin A can also lead to a higher risk of respiratory diseases (such as pneumonia) and infections (such as measles and diarrhea). It can also cause anemia (a condition in which the red blood cells do not supply enough oxygen to the body). In severe cases, not getting enough vitamin A can increase your chances of dying.

How much vitamin A you should take daily?

The total vitamin A content of a food is usually expressed as micrograms (µg) of retinol equivalents (RE).

The amount of vitamin A adults aged 19 to 64 need is:

• 700 µg a day for men
• 600 µg a day for women

You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need from your diet.

Any vitamin A your body does not need immediately is stored for future use. This means you do not need it every day.

The bottom line

If you are looking to improve your eye health or want to increase your antioxidant intake, then vitamin A supplements may be a good idea for you. Vitamin A deficiencies are not uncommon, so taking a supplement may help to improve your overall health.

Here are 6 great options to choose from if you’re looking for a high-quality, third-party-verified vitamin A supplement. However, it’s important to limit your intake to the recommended serving size and follow a healthcare professional’s instructions in order to minimize your risk of vitamin A toxicity.

Related:

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• Best 6 Vitamin E Supplement