What vitamin is also known as retinol and helps prevent night blindness?

Vitamin A is known as retinol and plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that is sensitive to light and is necessary for vision in dim light. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness, which is the inability to see well in low light or darkness.

In addition to its role in vision, vitamin A supports immune function and is important for the health of skin and mucous membranes. It can be found in foods such as liver, fish oils, milk, and colorful fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are orange or dark green, which contain carotenoids that the body can convert into retinol.

Other vitamins listed, such as B12, E, and K, have different functions and are not primarily associated with vision or preventing night blindness. For instance, vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage, and vitamin B12 is vital for nerve function and red blood cell production. Each of these vitamins plays an important role in overall health, but they do not have the specific effect on night vision that vitamin A does.