Vitamin A is an extremely important part of the proper function of the human body. However, there can be consequences for having too much Vitamin A.

Vitamin A controls eye function and proper growth of our bodies. While it is important to keep a proper level of Vitamin A to keep healthy eye sight and proper growth of children too much of the vitamin seems to be causing some unwanted side effects.

In some developing countries where they are using Vitamin A to treat for night blindness, researchers are finding a relation between the increase in the levels of Vitamin A and brittle bone disease and osteoporosis. They believe that the over use of Vitamin A is actually poisoning the bones causing them to be easily broken.

We have learned that in outlining underdeveloped countries a lack of Vitamin A causes over 250,000 children to go blind and die every year. This information has caused developed countries to be sure they are getting enough of the Vitamin A in their diets and in fact use Vitamin A in treating what is thought to be side effects of a lack of Vitamin A such as the night blindness and susceptibility to contract illness, by adding Vitamin A.

This increase in use of Vitamin A treatment coincides with the increase in broken bones and fractures such as hip fractures. Researchers believe that the Vitamin A, at some point, begins to eat away at the bone causing it to be brittle and easily broken.

The intake of the Vitamin A must be monitored carefully to be sure there they are not taking too much Vitamin A in their treatments. In addition, men and women who take supplements that contain Vitamin A should be careful how they do so as many of the foods in the developing countries are fortified with Vitamin A already. Some of these foods include cereals, breads and health drinks. Great caution should be taken when purchasing your over the counter supplements and a physician or pharmacist should be consulted if you are deciding to add a new supplement containing Vitamin A into your dietary regiment. Clearly there is such a thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to vitamins and minerals.