A team from Newcastle University has explored vitamin A’s role in psychiatric disorders, uncovering its importance in neuron connectivity and brain function. Their research, utilizing genetic studies, reveals retinol’s wide-ranging impact on health and paves the way for potential treatment strategies. However, further research is needed to fully understand retinol’s effects, with a cautionary note on its consumption, especially during pregnancy.
“Our previous research suggests this could be to do with vitamin A levels or retinol levels, which are known to play an important role in the differentiation, maturation, and synaptic function of brain cells. “There’s a lot more work that needs to be done to fully understand how retinol impacts human health but we do know that it is very important and potent. Like salt and sugar, we need enough of this vitamin but if we have too much or too little, it can cause all sorts of problems,” says Professor Cairns.