Vitamin A & Immunity

Vitamin A was called the “anti-infective vitamin” in the 1920’s when it was observed that animals deficient in vitamin A were overcome by infectious diseases, while those with adequate vitamin A levels recovered.

Retinoic acid (the active form) is involved in multiple immune functions (e.g. cytokine production, Th2 development, B-cell maturation, antibody responses) and has been suggested as a useful adjunct to vaccines and/or immunotherapy.

Real food sources: Butter (grass-fed & organic where possible) and ghee.

It never occurred to me that you could even make your own ghee, until @kate_naturopath posted about it. Ghee (lactose and casein free) can be heated to higher temperatures than butter or oil without burning 🔥

#MicronutrientMonday bringing you a couple of actions, interesting facts & real food sources.

References:

Ross AC, Chen Q, Ma Y. Vitamin A and retinoic acid in the regulation of B-cell development and antibody production. Vitam Horm. 2011;86:103-26. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386960-9.00005-8. PMID: 21419269; PMCID: PMC3789244.