ARS | Publication request: Evaluating the effectiveness of beta-carotene-rich food interventions for improving vitamin A status

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2009
Publication Date: June 1, 2009
Citation: Burri, B.J., Turner, T. 2009. Evaluating the effectiveness of beta-carotene-rich food interventions for improving vitamin A status. In: Nova Scientific Publishes, Haupergne New York. Beta Carotene: Dietary Sources and Cancer. Haupergne New York. p. 263-282.

Technical Abstract: Despite years of interventions with vitamin A (VA) supplement programs, VA deficiency remains a leading cause of morbidity and blindness in Southern Asia and Africa. Although high dose VA supplements can be a very effective means of preventing VA deficiency, they have several drawbacks: VA capsules can cause toxicity symptoms, and capsule distribution programs are difficult to sustain and have incomplete coverage. Beta-carotene forms VA, and beta-carotene-rich crops are the major source of VA in much of the world, including all areas where VA deficiency is common. For this reason, growing beta-carotene-rich crops to improve VA status has obvious attractions. Several small scale studies and projects have successfully used beta-carotene-rich crops to improve or at least maintain VA status in areas where VA deficiency is common. The results of these small scale programs will be evaluated, and we will use results from these studies to estimate the potential exposure to VA that is likely from food-based interventions. We will evaluate the potential effectiveness of beta-carotene rich crops such as Golden Rice, red palm oil, and mangoes in VA deficiency prevention.