The contribution of β-carotene to vitamin A supply of humans

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#carotenoids #diet #europe #female #food

The contribution of β-carotene to vitamin A supply of humans

Weber et al., 2012 | Mol Nutr Food Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Weber Daniela, Grune Tilman. 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

Abstract

Populations that administer highly restrictive diets using a strong dietary regime, excluding certain types of food, might be at risk of vitamin A insufficiency, even in developed countries. Thus, provitamin A carotenoids from plants represent an additional major dietary source of vitamin A for most of the world's population. Our aim was to estimate the contribution of β-carotene to vitamin A supply in industrialized countries using available data from the literature. A total of 11 studies from 8 countries were used, representing data of 121,256 participants. Intakes of total vitamin A, provitamin A carotenoids, including β-carotene were retrieved and used to calculate the retinol activity equivalents (RAE) utilizing current conversion factors. Mean total daily dietary intake of RAE was 1083±175. The mean β-carotene intake was 3.9 mg/day. Preformed vitamin A accounts for nearly 65% of total vitamin A intake, carotenoids make up 35%. No statistical differences between men and women in total intake of retinol were observed. We conclude that a safe vitamin A intake in general cannot be reached by consuming only one component (vitamin A or β-carotene) alone, even in Western countries where animal products are commonly available.

Key Findings

We conclude that a safe vitamin A intake in general cannot be reached by consuming only one component (vitamin A or β-carotene) alone, even in Western countries where animal products are commonly available.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 121256
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Carotenoids
  • Diet
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Food
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency
  • beta Carotene

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09