title: A review of vitamin A equivalency of β-carotene in various food matrices for human consumption.
abstract: Vitamin A equivalency of β-carotene (VEB) is defined as the amount of ingested β-carotene in μg that is absorbed and converted into 1 μg retinol (vitamin A) in the human body. The objective of the present review was to discuss the different estimates for VEB in various types of dietary food matrices. Different methods are discussed such as mass balance, dose-response and isotopic labelling. The VEB is currently estimated by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) as 12:1 in a mixed diet and 2:1 in oil. For humans consuming β-carotene dissolved in oil, a VEB between 2:1 and 4:1 is feasible. A VEB of approximately 4:1 is applicable for biofortified cassava, yellow maize and Golden Rice, which are specially bred for human consumption in developing countries. We propose a range of 9:1-16:1 for VEB in a mixed diet that encompasses the IOM VEB of 12:1 and is realistic for a Western diet under Western conditions. For a 'prudent' (i.e. non-Western) diet including a variety of commonly consumed vegetables, a VEB could range from 9:1 to 28:1 in a mixed diet.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Carolien A
authors: CA
authors: Van Loo-Bouwman
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Ton H J
authors: TH
authors: Naber
authors: Schaafsma Advisory Services in Food, Health and Safety, Rembrandtlaan 12, 3925 VD, Scherpenzeel, The Netherlands.
authors: Gertjan
authors: G
authors: Schaafsma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis*; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D010938:Plant Oils; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A