There are many different types of vitamins that contribute individually, and in combination, to our bodies functioning in a healthy way. This includes helping our bodies to conceive and grow a baby. The following list of vitamins gives recommended daily intakes (or 'RDI's') that are based on the Australian National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) guidelines. Other countries may have slightly different recommendations.
We have also included information on vitamin toxicity and some guides for vitamins for conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as a list of some foods that contain these vitamins.
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Vitamin A
RDI
Overdosing
Conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Food sources
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. There are different forms of vitamin A being, 'retinol', 'retinal', 'retinoic acid' (known collectively as 'retinoids') and 'beta รข-carotene'. The retinoids are the most common forms of vitamin A and are obtained from animal products. Beta-carotene is obtained from red, yellow, orange and dark green fruit and vegetables. Beta-carotene is converted in the body into retinol by your intestines and liver, generally at a ratio of about 6:1 (meaning 6ug of beta carotene = 1ug of retinol).
Vitamin A is needed for healthy vision, resisting infection and the growth and development of cells of the mucous linings of the mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, lungs, uterus, vagina, bladder and other body organs. Up to 90% of our vitamin A needs are stored in our livers. If an adult stopped having vitamin A in their diet, it would take them about 2 years to use up all their vitamin A stores in their liver, before they would show physical signs of vitamin A deficiency. (Less time for a child.) Vitamin A deficiency can lead to stunted growth, headaches, cracked and decaying teeth and joint pain.