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Why CODE Complex® Combines Retinyl Palmitate and Mixed Carotenoids for Optimal Vitamin A Utilization

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  • Published 3 hours ago
Posted By Nurse Andi
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Vitamin A is like a multitasking superhero for your body, helping to keep your immune system strong, your skin smooth and resilient, your vision sharp, and your cells functioning at their best. But here’s the twist: not all vitamin A is the same, and your body may not treat every form equally. In fact, a single gene called BCO1 can play a significant role in how well you convert plant-based vitamin A from foods like carrots and sweet potatoes into the active form your body actually uses. If that gene isn’t working at full capacity, you might be doing all the “right” things with your diet and still fall short on this critical nutrient.

At SNiP Nutrigenomics, we combine preformed vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) with mixed carotenoids in CODE Complex to meet your unique genetic needs. This ensures your body gets the correct form, in the right amount, for peak performance.

Forms of Vitamin A and Why Genetics Matter

Preformed Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate)

This fat-soluble form is ready for immediate use by the body. It bypasses the conversion process entirely, making it critical for individuals with BCO1 variants.

Provitamin A Carotenoids (Beta-Carotene and Others)

Found in colorful vegetables and fruits, carotenoids require conversion to active vitamin A. People with BCO1 gene variants may have reduced conversion efficiency, meaning even a diet rich in carotenoid-containing foods may not meet their vitamin A needs.

Understanding Vitamin A Units: RAE vs. IU

Vitamin A can be listed in two units RAE (Retinol Activity Equivalents) and IU (International Units) and it’s essential to know why they differ:

RAE accounts for how well your body absorbs and converts vitamin A from different sources. In other words, it reflects actual biological activity.

IU is an older, broader measurement that doesn’t distinguish between active retinol and its pre‑vitamin forms.

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements:

  • 1 IU of retinol equals 0.3 μg RAE

  • 1 IU of supplemental beta‑carotene also equals 0.3 μg RAE

  • But 1 IU of dietary beta‑carotene equals just 0.05 μg RAE

So, for someone reading labels or comparing RAE to IU, conversion depends on the source, animal-based retinol versus plant-based carotenoids, making it tricky to compare without context.

Why We Avoid Mega-Dosing Retinyl Palmitate

While vitamin A is vital, more is not always better. Excess preformed vitamin A can be stored in the liver and lead to:

  • Liver strain

  • Decreased bone mineral density

  • Developmental risks during pregnancy

The safe upper limit is 3,000 mcg RAE/day (10,000 IU/day). Our formulation stays well below toxic levels while providing consistent, practical support. Source

You can easily find your personalized CODE Complex® formulation by logging into your secure SNiP Nutrigenomics portal.

Once you’re in, go to My DNA Reports (the tab is on the left side of the page) and look for the Supplement Fact Sheet section. This document lists your exact nutrient profile, dosage amounts, and the rationale behind each ingredient, tailored to your genetic results, so you’ll know exactly what’s in your formula and how it supports you.

Safe and Effective Dosage in CODE Complex®

Most adults do well with 2,500–5,000 IU/day for foundational support.Our dosage is:

Calibrated to support you, whatever your genetics may be.

Designed to complement other nutrients in CODE Complex

Balanced to avoid nutrient overload

Vitamin A–Rich Foods and Daily Serving Guidelines

For Normal BCO1 Function (Efficient Converter = no variants)

Aim for 2–3 servings/day of carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruits, plus animal sources weekly:

  • 1 medium carrot (500+ mcg RAE)

  • ½ cup sweet potato (900+ mcg RAE)

  • ½ cup cooked spinach or kale (500+ mcg RAE)

  • Egg yolk (70 mcg RAE), 3 oz salmon (50 mcg RAE)

For Challenged BCO1 Function (Reduced Conversion, 1 or 2 variants)

Include 1–2 daily servings of animal-based preformed vitamin A in addition to produce:

  • 3 oz beef liver (6,000+ mcg RAE, occasional use)

  • Whole eggs, wild salmon, sardines, and grass-fed dairy

  • Carotenoid-rich produce for antioxidant benefits

Why We Use Both Retinyl Palmitate and Carotenoids in CODE Complex®

Optimal BCO1 function – Carotenoids provide the majority of vitamin A, with a safety net of preformed vitamin A.

Reduced BCO1 conversion – Retinyl palmitate ensures consistent active vitamin A intake, regardless of conversion efficiency.

This dual approach supports strong immune function, promotes healthy skin turnover and repair, protects vision and eye health, and regulates gene expression.

The Precision Nutrition Advantage

Your ability to use vitamin A is shaped by your genetic blueprint, diet, and lifestyle. CODE Complex provides vitamin A in safe, bioavailable forms tailored to your genetic profile.

We don’t believe in megadosing. We believe in the right nutrients, the proper form, and dose so you can thrive at every level.

Take Action: Know Your Genes and Unlock Your Health Potential

Discover your genetic blueprint and take control of your health with SNiP Nutrigenomics. By swabbing with us, you can unlock insights into all 103 genes we test, including those crucial for mold detoxification and overall well-being. Already have your DNA data? Enter your results to receive your customized nutrigenomics formulation, designed to optimize your detoxification pathways and empower your journey to better health. Take the first step today!

Nurse Andi
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