What is the active form of vitamin A called?

The active form of vitamin A is known as retinol. This fat-soluble vitamin plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including vision, immune function, and skin health. Retinol is the form of vitamin A that is readily utilized by the body and is essential for the production of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that is critical for vision, especially in low-light conditions.

Carotene, while related to vitamin A, is a precursor that the body converts into retinol but is not the active form itself. Retinal is another form of vitamin A that works closely with retinol in the visual cycle, but it is not as widely recognized as the primary active form. Vitamin A Palmitate is an ester of retinol, often used in supplements and fortified foods, but it must be converted into retinol to be effective in the body. Thus, retinol is the definitive active form that serves various essential functions within the human body.