Too much of anything can kill you, even vitamins.  Vitamin A serves as a poignant example.  In the early 1960’s, scientists found that vitamin A boosted immunity and prevented blindness in third world countries.  A study in Indonesia showed that vitamin A supplementation prevented up to a whopping 50% of childhood deaths caused by disease.  As people began to learn of its benefits, supplementation became common.  As use became widespread, scientists discovered vitamin overdose – too much of a good thing.

Excess vitamin A has been shown to occur at a mere 20mg per day.  Symptoms include water in the brain (hydrocephalus), vomiting, tiredness, constipation, bone pain, and severe headaches.  Dry pale skin also occurs.  To prevent it, chemists began looking at vitamin A precursors.

Surprisingly, the human body uses beta-carotene to produce vitamin A, but only when it needs it!  Utilizing its “natural intelligence,” the body uses a complex set of enzymatic reactions to ensure that you have plenty of vitamin A courtesy of beta-carotene.  The best sources for beta carotene are sweet potatoes, spinach and goji berries.