The European food safety authority (EFSA) last evaluated vitamins and minerals for safety in 2006 and set a so-called Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for each micronutrient, provided sufficient data were available. This UL reflects the maximum safe level of a micronutrient that will not cause adverse effects when taken daily from all sources for a lifetime.
| The maximum safe daily intake for vitamin A is 3 mg (= 3,000 µg). 3,000 µg of vitamin A is equivalent to 10,000 I.U. (International Units). The maximum safe daily amount for vitamin A is almost 4 times the EU recommended daily intake (Nutrient Reference Value, NRV). |
This value applies to women of childbearing age, pregnant women, lactating women, and men. EFSA set this value with regard to safety to the unborn child for women of childbearing age to protect unborn life from teratogenic effects (effects that may cause malformations in the embryo).
The UL does not apply to postmenopausal women. They are recommended to limit their vitamin A intake to 1.5 mg per day due to an increased risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures (broken bones).
Over 95% of the population’s daily vitamin A intake is below the maximum of 3 mg retinol. Ingested provitamin A (e.g. beta-carotene) is converted to vitamin A in the body only in a deficiency situation.
In studies, a correlation between a high vitamin A intake and liver cirrhosis (end stage of chronic liver disease) was only observed above a quantity of 7.5 mg vitamin A per day, taken over 6 years.
For pregnant women, the following applies under precautionary aspects for the unborn child:
Pregnant women have an increased need for vitamin A. Because of the great importance of the vitamin for lung development and maturation, attention should be paid to an adequate supply, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (third trimester).
A sensitive phase for the embryo exists only in the first two months. During this time, the unborn child may react to unusually excessive amounts of vitamin A. However, with the usual intake of vitamin A in a normal diet, pregnant women are far from excessive amounts that could have a negative effect on the unborn child. Such amounts cannot be achieved through the consumption of food and through properly dosed vital substance preparations.
Only the consumption of liver and liver-containing products occupies a special position and, with their uncontrollably high levels of vitamin A, lies in a range that can have a negative effect on the development of the unborn child. Pregnant women should therefore avoid eating liver during the first trimester (third trimester). Other foods containing vitamin A do not pose an increased risk to the unborn child. Provitamins of vitamin A (e.g. beta-carotene) are a good alternative, as they can be absorbed in a controlled manner and converted into vitamin A as required. Overdose to vitamin A is not possible.
