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The jury is still out on these potential
benefits
Fruits
and vegetables rich in beta-carotene and
other carotenoids may be
allies in the fight against cancer and heart
disease.
Too
much may be risky
Vitamin A toxicity from animal foods and/or
supplements can occur with intakes of over
15grams in adults and 6grams in infants
and young children. Symptoms include loss
of hair, headaches, dry skin, vomiting,
abnorml bone growth, and liver damage. Intakes
of as little as 3grams of vitamin A may
increase the risk of birth defects in pregnant
women.
Excess
beta-carotene from plant foods is stored
in your body, but luckily,is not toxic.
However, high intakefor several weeks can
give your skin a yellow appearance, most
visible on the palms of your hands and soles
of your feet.
High
doses of beta-carotene from supplements,
not foods, have been shown to increase the
risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Top five vitamin A-rich foods·
Carrot, 1 raw.
Mango, 1 medium.
Palak, 1/2 cup, boiled.
Milk, 1 cup.
Egg yolk.
Quick
tips to clinch your needs·
Pour a cup of milk on your breakfast cereal.
Add a chopped, raw carrot to your lunch
salad or munch on carrot sticks with your
sandwich
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