Your Guide to Supplements

By Sara Altshul

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Vitamin A

What it Does: Prevents night blindness; enhances immunity by stimulating the production and activity of white blood cells; regulates cell growth and division.

How Much You Need: 2,300 International Units (IU)/day

Supplemental Information: Vitamin A is available in two forms. The first is the "preformed" kind called retinol, which is found in animal products such as liver and whole milk. Preformed A can be toxic at levels above 10,000 IU. The second is natural beta-carotene, from fruits and veggies, which your body uses to form its own vitamin A, and is much safer. Check labels and choose a supplement that has all or most of its vitamin A as beta-carotene.