Abstract
Retinol (ROL) and β-carotene (BC) are vitamin A (VA) derivatives and are taken up by humans for use as nutrients. The intake of these derivatives can be calculated by extrapolation from food consumption data. In this study, food consumption statistics of the former West and East German regions between 1986 and 1993 were calculated, concentrating on East Germany’s transition towards reunification with West Germany. Retinol equivalent (RE), ROL and BC intakes in 1986 were much lower in East Germany than in West Germany. A strong increase in the uptake levels of RE, ROL and especially BC from 1986 to 1993 was observed in East German women, men and children, and was partly dependent on household financial status. This remarkable elevation was most likely caused by alterations in consumed food varieties in East Germany following reunification. Since high dietary intake of VA was shown to be associated with atopy, the observed elevated RE, ROL and especially BC uptake of East Germans might also have affected their prevalence of atopic disease.
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