Tag: Vitamin a1

First identified in the 1940s, vitamin A2 has a distinct chemical structure and origin that sets it apart from its more common counterpart, vitamin A1. The other name for vitamin A2, a crucial piece of this biochemical puzzle, is 3-dehydroretinol. This lesser-known retinoid plays a unique role in the biology of certain species, particularly freshwater fish.

While most people are familiar with vitamin A, a lesser-known variant called vitamin A2, or 3,4-didehydroretinol, is a real compound found in nature. Although it shares a similar structure with vitamin A1 (retinol), it is not a primary dietary necessity for humans and plays a specialized role in other species.

Over 250,000 children globally are affected by blindness annually due to vitamin A deficiency, highlighting the critical importance of this nutrient. What is vitamin A1 called? The answer is retinol, an active form of vitamin A found in animal-based foods and essential for numerous bodily functions.

Worldwide, a staggering 250,000 to 500,000 children are estimated to become blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency. The disease of vitamin A1 deficiency, medically known as hypovitaminosis A or retinol deficiency, is a critical public health issue, particularly in developing countries.