The importance of beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women
- PMID: 17665093
- DOI: 10.1007/s00394-007-1001-z
The importance of beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women
Abstract
Vitamin A is essential for growth and differentiation of a number of cells and tissues. Notably during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding period, vitamin A has an important role in the healthy development of the fetus and the newborn, with lung development and maturation being particularly important. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a 40% increase in vitamin A intake for pregnant women and a 90% increase for breastfeeding women. However, pregnant women or those considering becoming pregnant are generally advised to avoid the intake of vitamin A rich liver and liver foods, based upon unsupported scientific findings. As a result, the provitamin A carotenoid beta-carotene remains their essential source of vitamin A. Basic sources of provitamin A are orange and dark green vegetables, followed by fortified beverages which represent between 20% and 40% of the daily supply. The average intake of beta-carotene in Germany is about 1.5-2 mg a day. Assuming a vitamin A conversion rate for beta-carotene for juices of 4:1, and fruit and vegetables between 12:1 and 26:1; the total vitamin A contribution from beta-carotene intake represents 10-15% of the RDA. The American Pediatrics Association cites vitamin A as one of the most critical vitamins during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period, especially in terms of lung function and maturation. If the vitamin A supply of the mother is inadequate, her supply to the fetus will also be inadequate, as will later be her milk. These inadequacies cannot be compensated by postnatal supplementation. A clinical study in pregnant women with short birth intervals or multiple births showed that almost 1/3 of the women had plasma retinol levels below 1.4 micromol/l corresponding to a borderline deficiency. Despite the fact that vitamin A and beta-carotene rich food is generally available, risk groups for low vitamin A supply exist in the western world. It is therefore highly critical to restrict the beta-carotene supply from diet, particularly from sources of beta-carotene with high consumer acceptance such as fortified juices (e.g. "ACE juices") or dietary supplements (e.g. multivitamins for pregnant women). For the part of the population unable to meet vitamin A requirements according to the DACH recommendations, sufficient intake of beta-carotene may be crucial to help improve and maintain adequate vitamin A status and prevention of developmental disorders. At this time it has to be urgently advised against restricting the beta-carotene supply or putting warning labels on beta-carotene fortified products. It is, however, highly recommended to improve the available data on nutrient intakes in Germany, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women. For them, recommendations to be aware of potential nutrient intake inadequacies might prove useful.
Similar articles
-
Vitamin A and beta-carotene supply of women with gemini or short birth intervals: a pilot study.Eur J Nutr. 2007 Feb;46(1):12-20. doi: 10.1007/s00394-006-0624-9. Epub 2006 Nov 10. Eur J Nutr. 2007. PMID: 17103079
-
Cassava with enhanced beta-carotene maintains adequate vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) despite substantial cis-isomer content.Br J Nutr. 2009 Aug;102(3):342-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007114508184720. Epub 2009 Jan 13. Br J Nutr. 2009. PMID: 19138445
-
Sources of energy and nutrients in the diets of infants and toddlers.J Am Diet Assoc. 2006 Jan;106(1 Suppl 1):S28-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2005.09.034. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006. PMID: 16376628
-
The contribution of β-carotene to vitamin A supply of humans.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Feb;56(2):251-8. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201100230. Epub 2011 Sep 29. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012. PMID: 21957049 Review.
-
Micronutrients in women's reproductive health: I. Vitamins.Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2006 May-Jun;51(3):106-15. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2006. PMID: 17039854 Review.
Cited by
-
Association of vitamin A with gestational diabetes and thyroid disorders in pregnancy and their influence on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes.Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2024 Aug 31;18:26334941241271542. doi: 10.1177/26334941241271542. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec. Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2024. PMID: 39220467 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Clinical Factors Affecting the Serum Retention of a Teratogenic Etretinate after the Acitretin Administration.Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2022 Nov 1;30(6):562-569. doi: 10.4062/biomolther.2022.069. Epub 2022 Jul 25. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2022. PMID: 35871607 Free PMC article.
-
The Attenuating Effect of Beta-Carotene on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Vascular Dementia Symptoms in Rats.Molecules. 2022 Jul 4;27(13):4293. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134293. Molecules. 2022. PMID: 35807538 Free PMC article.
-
Dietary Intake and Genetic Background Influence Vitamin Needs during Pregnancy.Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Apr 21;10(5):768. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10050768. Healthcare (Basel). 2022. PMID: 35627905 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Geographic and socio-demographic determinants of plasma retinol concentrations in Chinese pregnant and lactating women.Eur J Nutr. 2022 Apr;61(3):1561-1570. doi: 10.1007/s00394-021-02759-x. Epub 2021 Dec 3. Eur J Nutr. 2022. PMID: 34860270
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical
Research Materials
Miscellaneous