Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260 Experts Emphasize Importance of Beta-Carotene - Nutraceuticals World

What are you searching for?

Sign in
Market Updates

Experts Emphasize Importance of Beta-Carotene

The intake of preformed vitamin A from animal products is not sufficient in parts of the population in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Author Image

By: Sean Moloughney

Editor, Nutraceuticals World

The intake of preformed vitamin A from animal products is not sufficient in parts of the population in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The vitamin A precursor beta-carotene therefore has an important function in providing for an adequate supply of total vitamin A, international carotenoid experts state in a recently published consensus answer.

An appropriate intake of beta-carotene from diet, fortified foods and/or dietary supplements could safely compensate for the lack of vitamin A. However, based on recent data from national nutrition surveys, the dietary intake of beta-carotene from food sources is insufficient in a substantial part of the population. Moreover, many people may suffer from a reduced ability to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin A from beta-carotene due to genetic variations. Consequently, experts are calling for guarantees that recommended intakes of beta-carotene are met or, if the current recommended dietary amounts for vitamin A are not met, that beta-carotene intake should be increased. This would ensure that at least 95% of the population consume an adequate amount of total vitamin A.

Leading experts in the fields of medical and nutritional science from the U.S., Europe and Asia met at a Consensus Conference to elucidate the current knowledge with respect to physiological function, supply situation, and intake recommendations of beta-carotene. The experts reached an agreement formulated in a consensus answer published recently in The Journal of Nutrition.

Low Intake

Vitamin A is essential for normal growth and development, immune system, vision and other functions in the human body. In situations such as pregnancy and lactation, vitamin A plays a particularly important role in the healthy development of the child, and an increase in vitamin A (retinol) intake has been recommended under these conditions. However, surveys undertaken in several countries suggest that vitamin A intake patterns vary considerably across Europe, the U.S. and Asia. National survey data show that the intake of preformed vitamin A (retinol)—only present in animal products (especially liver)—is often critically low and does not meet the recommendations. Groups especially at risk of inadequate vitamin A supply are pregnant and lactating women, newborns, children with frequent infections, young women, the elderly and people who avoid animal-derived foods.

National Consumption Surveys indicate that beta-carotene—as a vitamin A precursor—contributes significantly to balance inadequate vitamin A supply in large parts of the population. However, European, U.S. and Asian studies show that a substantial part of the population does not reach the recommendation for beta-carotene necessary to compensate the low vitamin A intake from sources containing preformed vitamin A in the regular diet.

Recent evidence has shown that suboptimal levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene, even well above those causing clinical deficiency syndromes, can be risk factors for chronic diseases.

Beta-Carotene-Dependent Gene Variants

The bioavailability of beta-carotene is influenced by numerous factors. In addition to food-related factors, such as food matrix, food processing, dosage, fat in the meal, and dietary fibers, the bioavailability of beta-carotene depends on consumer-related factors that include vitamin A status, gut integrity and genetic variations.

Recent research on female subjects has shown that almost 50% of the population has a genetic variation which reduces the ability to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin A from beta-carotene. Studies indicate that younger women carrying the genetic variation are at particular risk, as they tend not to eat enough vitamin A-rich foods relying heavily on the beta-carotene form of the nutrient.

Intake Recommendations

It is apparent from a variety of studies that beta-carotene is essential in striving for the recommended vitamin A intake. In cases of a poor vitamin A status due to low intake of preformed vitamin A, the current recommendations for beta-carotene in the range of 2-4 mg per day still might not sufficiently correct the individual vitamin A status.

In their consensus answer the experts conclude that ignoring inter-individual differences in the ability to convert beta-carotene to vitamin A and assuming that intakes of preformed retinol do not change, it should be ensured that the current recommended intakes of beta-carotene are attained. At the same time, people with an inadequate intake of preformed vitamin A should increase consumption to 7 mg per day, based on a realistic conversion efficiency of 1:12 (12 milligrams of beta-carotene are necessary to form one milligram of vitamin A). This should ensure that at least 95% of the population meet the recommended intakes of total vitamin A.

Individuals with reduced conversion efficiencies due to a genetic variability in beta-carotene metabolism might need to increase their daily intakes even further. This is currently being investigated.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Get the latest Nutraceuticals World news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.

Add Nutraceuticals World as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Nutraceuticals World Newsletters

Topics