Glossary

Vitamin A helps to protect the structure of the cell membrane and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy skin, eyes and internal mucous membrane, whilst helping them all to resist infections. Vitamin A regulates the growth of the epidermis, the teeth, nails, hair, bone and glands. It is also essential for good vision. A deficiency in vitamin A leads to hyperkeratination, translating into dry and rough skin, atrophy of the sebaceous and sweat glands, and duller-looking hair. In the dermis, vitamin A stimulates the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid whilst protecting them from their degradation. In the fat tissues, vitamin A inhibits the transformation of pre-fat cells into mature fat cells, the latter alone being capable of storing fat.