Retinol (Vitamin A): King of Metabolism, Skin and the Thyroid.

What is Vitamin A? Well for starters the body doesn't make it naturally so why is something the body can't produce on it own so good for it? There are 3 forms of Vitamin A; Plant form (a carotenoid) synthetic form (Retinyl Palmitate), Beta-carotene (from sweet potatoes)and the true form from animals Retinol. Why is Retinol the "true form" of Vitamin A? For obvious reasons we will throw out synthetic Palmitate (as itself doesn't have much physiological activity and requires the body to pull from its own nutrients), plant form Carotenoids, Beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes and alpha-carotene in greens must be converted via the thyroid and vitamin C but is a slow grueling task ranging from 4 - 28% absorption rate. Retinol is the King because its the only Bio-Available form of Vitamin A. It is far superiors to the other forms because of its bioavailability. Vitamin deficiency aren't terribly common in countries that have meat available all the time, however most people don't eat organ meats which is where the most vitamin a is available. This brings me to the lovely Doctor Weston Price. Dr. Price a dentist from Canada was known primarily for his interest and theories on the relationship between nutrition, physical health and dental health. Among some of theories he noticed that there was a fairly common link between Vitamin A deficiency and other health issues like skin conditions, poor vision, infertility and weak jaw structures.

If that wasn't convincing enough, here is what vitamin A does for your Thyroid.