title: Influence of dietary fat on beta-carotene absorption and bioconversion into vitamin A.
abstract: Dietary fat facilitates the utilization of carotenoids and, based on serum beta-carotene or retinol responses following ingestion of meals containing carotene and fat sources, it has been reported that the amount of fat required in a meal may be minimal (approximately 3-5 g). However, the dietary fat requirement for optimal carotene utilization in humans cannot be fully ascertained without longer-term dose-response studies that measure the changes in vitamin A body stores in response to varying levels of dietary fat. In humans, vitamin A body stores can be determined by use of stable isotope-dilution methods. Animal studies have shown that although the level of dietary fat has no effect on serum vitamin A concentrations of animals fed beta-carotene, higher liver vitamin A concentrations were found in those that ingested higher fat levels. Other factors that might influence the relationship of fat intake and beta-carotene utilization include the type of fat ingested, physicochemical properties of the carotenoid source, amount of carotene ingested, whether fat and beta-carotene sources are provided in the same meal, the presence of helminthic infections, age, and vitamin A status.
authors: Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors: Judy D
authors: JD
authors: Ribaya-Mercado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A