Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays critical roles in vision, immune defense, and cellular development. It exists in two dietary forms: preformed retinol found in animal products like liver and dairy, and provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene from colorful fruits and vegetables. It was the first vitamin formally identified and remains one of the most studied micronutrients.
Expert Evidence
10 references from 3 experts
“I do take a foundational supplement, which is my source of vitamin A in addition to my food sources.”
AMA #6: Eye Health, Why We Yawn & Increasing Motivation
27:251 reference in 1 episode from 2023
Huberman takes vitamin A as part of his foundational supplement routine, supplementing it alongside dietary sources. No specific dosage, brand, or form is mentioned, and no benefits, cautions, or scientific rationale are discussed.
“Personally, I still would not supplement with vitamin A or E. We get plenty of that from our diet, and that's why I don't include it in microvitamin.”
The Most Important Antioxidant Study I’ve Ever Read
10:268 references in 8 episodes from 2022–2026
Brad Stanfield strongly recommends against supplementing with vitamin A, citing Cochrane review evidence that it may increase death rates, weaken bones, damage the liver, and cause birth defects. He excludes it from his own microvitamin formula, believing dietary intake is sufficient. He does acknowledge topical retinoids (a form of vitamin A) as beneficial for skin. There is no evidence of personal use, and no specific dosing guidance was discussed.
Benefits
Topical retinoids, a form of vitamin A, can make skin cells more active and improve wrinkles and skin strength, as shown in a 2007 study on retinol lotion.
Cautions
Multiple studies and a Cochrane review suggest vitamin A supplements may increase death rates. Excess vitamin A can weaken bones, damage the liver, and cause birth defects. Stanfield sees no cognitive or cancer-prevention benefits from supplementation and considers dietary intake sufficient.
“Individuals at high risk for lung cancer due to excessive smoking or asbestos exposure should actually avoid high doses of vitamin A supplementation because it's been shown to actually accelerate carcinogenesis. The same dose of vitamin A in non-smokers does not have the same effect on cancer incidence.”
Rebuttal to Anti-Vitamin Editorial: "Enough is Enough"
9:021 reference in 1 episode from 2014
Rhonda Patrick warns that high-dose vitamin A supplementation can accelerate carcinogenesis in individuals at high risk for lung cancer due to smoking or asbestos exposure, while noting this effect does not occur in non-smokers. She does not discuss personal use, specific dosing, or any benefits of vitamin A supplementation.
Side Effects
- Nausea and headache at high doses
- Liver toxicity with chronic excess intake
- Dry or peeling skin
- Increased lung cancer risk in smokers at high doses
- Birth defects if taken in excess during pregnancy