Retinol Activity Equivalents Research Articles

Caryocar brasiliense Camb. fruits from the Brazilian Cerrado as a rich source of carotenoids with pro-vitamin A activity

Caryocar brasiliense Camb. is the best-known fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado. This fruit has yellow pulp containing several carotenoids and has a strong and exotic flavor; however, its composition may vary due to factors such as genotypic differences, seasonality, cultivation forms, climatic and soil characteristics, maturation stage, type of storage and processing. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the chemical composition of carotenoids with pro-vitamin A activity of C. brasiliense fruits from 18 Brazilian municipalities. The vitamin A value expressed as μg Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE) in the fresh fruit and carotenoid profile were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC- DAD). The main carotenoids found were β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. High variation in vitamin A values were observed, especially among the fruits from Gato-Preto-MA with (1.4 μg RAE/100 g fresh fruit) and Januária-MG (719 μg RAE/100 g fresh fruit). PC1 and PC2 explored about 98.80% of the data variance in the multivariate analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and organized the C. brasiliense fruits in three clusters by decreasing vitamin A values. The fruits from the municipalities of Januária, Japonvar, Arinos, Salinas and Montes Claros showed higher carotenoid content.

The complexity of producing and interpreting dietary vitamin A statistics

Producing, reporting, and interpreting vitamin A statistics present multiple challenges largely attributable to the systems of equivalence used to convert pro-vitamin A carotenoids into retinol equivalents, and to the criteria used by institutions to set recommendations. This study describes the information on total vitamin A, retinol and provitamin A carotenoids available in 90 food composition tables/databases (FCTs/FCDBs). It also evaluates the effect of the definition of vitamin A intake (Retinol Equivalents [RE] or Retinol Activity Equivalents [RAE]) and the source of requirements on the potential contribution of dietary intake to the population’s requirements. We found that 43 percent of the FCTs/FCDBs reviewed, many of them from high-income countries, do not provide total vitamin A or sufficient information for computing it, or present inconsistencies between the metadata and the published values; 9 percent publish total vitamin A in RE and RAE; and 28 percent provide information on retinol and provitamin A carotenoids that enables calculating total vitamin A in both definitions.Vitamin A adequacy ratios are lowest when the consumption unit is RAE and the source of requirements is the US Health and Medicine Division. When the consumption definition is RE, adequacy ratios are higher using FAO/WHO than EFSA requirements. It is imperative to reach consensus on the system of conversion of provitamin A carotenoids into retinol equivalents.

Starch digestibility and β-carotene bioaccessibility in the orange- fleshed sweet potato puree-wheat bread.

Vitamin A is essential for vision, human health, growth, immune function, and reproduction. Its deficiency leads to anemia, xerophthalmia, and growth reduction in children. Foods enriched with naturally occurring carotenes have the potential, in this regard, and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) stands out tall as it is rich in β-carotene (βC), a provitamin A carotenoid. In view of developing OFSP-based functional foods to address the vitamin A deficiency (VAD) issues, herein, OFSP puree-wheat composite breads have been prepared at 10% to 50% OFSP puree concentrations and bioaccessibility of βC has been estimated. The total βC is found to be 4.3, 9.2, 16.5, 23.3, and 33.6µg/g in 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% OFSP bread, respectively. The corresponding calculated retinol activity equivalents (RAE) are 30.9, 66.4, 119.5, 170.4, and 246.2 RAE/100 g.The efficiency of micellarization of all-trans-βC, 13-cis βC, and 9-cis βC after simulated oral, gastric, and small intestinal digestion are 1.4% to 6.4%, 1.4% to 7.2%, and 1.1% to 6.9%, respectively. The amount of micellarized βC correlates linearly with the OFSP concentration in the bread. Furthermore, in vitro starch digestion decreases with significant reduction in the Rapidly Digestible Starch (RDS) amount coupled with increase in the Slowly Digestible Starch (SDS) and Resistant Starch (RS) fractions. Overall, OFSP-wheat composite bread holds adequate amount of provitamin A carotenoids. The amount of bioaccessible βC coupled with altered starch digestion of the OFSP wheat breads highlight their usefulness as novel functional foods that could address the VAD as well as glycemic issues toward improving human health.

The contribution of provitamin A biofortified cassava to vitamin A intake in Nigerian pre-schoolchildren.

Biofortified yellow cassava has been developed to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. We examined the potential contribution of yellow cassava to total retinol activity equivalent (RAE) intake if replacing white by yellow cassava among pre-school Nigerian children. Dietary intake was assessed as part of a randomised controlled trial. Pre-schoolchildren (n 176) were randomly assigned to receive either white cassava (WC) or yellow cassava (YC) for 17 weeks. Dietary intake assessments were conducted during the intervention and 1 month after, when children had resumed their habitual diet. Differences in RAE intake between groups and time points were compared using a linear mixed model regression analysis. During intervention, median RAE intake was 536 µg/d in the YC group and 301 µg/d in the WC group (P < 0·0001). YC contributed approximately 40 % to total RAE intake. Of the children, 9 % in the YC group and 29 % in the WC group had RAE intake below the Estimated Average Requirement. After intervention, median RAE intake was 300 µg/d and did not differ between intervention groups (P = 0·5). The interaction effect of group and time showed a 37 % decrease in RAE intake in the YC group after the intervention (Exp(β) = 0·63; 95 % CI 0·56, 0·72). If WC was replaced by YC after intervention, the potential contribution of YC to total RAE intake was estimated to be approximately 32 %. YC increased total RAE intake and showed a substantially lower inadequacy of intake. It is therefore recommended as a good source of provitamin A in cassava-consuming regions.

Daily consumption of pro-vitamin A biofortified (yellow) cassava improves serum retinol concentrations in preschool children in Nigeria: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACTBackgroundVitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Pro-vitamin A biofortified (yellow) cassava has the potential to contribute significantly to improve vitamin A status, especially in populations that are difficult to reach with other strategies.ObjectivesThe study aimed at determining the efficacy of biofortified cassava to improve vitamin A status of Nigerian preschool children.MethodsAn open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted in southwestern Nigeria. In total, 176 preschool children (aged 3–5 y) were randomized into 2 parallel arms comprising an experimental group (n = 88), fed foods prepared from biofortified (yellow) cassava, and a control group (n = 88), fed foods prepared from white cassava, twice a day, 6 d a week for 93 d.ResultsA total of 159 children completed the trial (yellow cassava group, n = 80; white cassava group, n = 79). Children consumed 221 and 74 µg/d retinol activity equivalents from intervention foods in the yellow and white cassava groups, respectively. The treatment effect on serum retinol concentrations at the end of the feeding trial was 0.06 µmol/L (95% CI: 0.004, 0.124 µmol/L), after adjustment for baseline retinol concentrations, inflammation, and asymptomatic malaria status. No significant treatment effects were detected for serum β-carotene (adjusted effect: 3.9%; 95% CI: −0.6%, 8.6%) and gut permeability (adjusted effect: 0.002; 95% CI: −0.089, 0.092), but a significant effect was detected for hemoglobin concentrations (adjusted effect: 3.08 g/L; 95% CI: 0.38, 5.78 g/L).ConclusionsDaily consumption of β-carotene from biofortified cassava improved serum retinol and hemoglobin concentrations modestly in Nigerian preschool children. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02627222.

Effect of cooking locally available common bean (Obwelu) on iron and zinc retention, and pumpkin (Sweet cream) on provitamin A carotenoid retention in rural Uganda.

Pumpkin is a potential rich source of vitamin A precursors called provitamin A carotenoids (PVACs), while common bean is a potential rich source of iron and zinc. This study evaluated the effect of cooking locally available pumpkin, Sweet cream (Cucurbita moschata) on PVACs retention in Uganda. Furthermore, the effect of cooking locally available common bean, Obwelu (Phaseolus vulgaris) on iron and zinc retention was evaluated. Expert caregivers from the local community cooked pumpkin by either boiling or steaming, while common bean was cooked by either boiling with prior soaking or boiling without prior soaking. PVACs in raw and cooked pumpkin were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while iron and zinc in raw and cooked common bean were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Conversion of PVACs into vitamin A retinol activity equivalents (RAE) was calculated using the Institute of Medicine (2001) recommendations for the bioconversion of PVACs into vitamin A. Micronutrient retention was measured using true retention. β‐carotene, α‐carotene, and vitamin A content in raw pumpkin was 1,704 µg/100 g, 46 µg/100 g and 1,437 µgRAE/100 g, respectively. Either boiling or steaming pumpkin resulted in over 100% retention of PVACs and vitamin A. Iron and zinc retention for boiled common bean with prior soaking was 92.2% and 91.3%, respectively. Boiling common bean without prior soaking resulted in 88.4% and 75.6% retention of iron and zinc, respectively. In conclusion, to retain a high proportion of PVACs caregivers should be advised to cook Sweet cream by either boiling or steaming, while to retain a high proportion of iron and zinc, Obwelu should be prepared by boiling with prior soaking.

Dietary β-Cryptoxanthin and α-Carotene Have Greater Apparent Bioavailability Than β-Carotene in Subjects from Countries with Different Dietary Patterns

β-carotene, α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin are greater contributors to vitamin A intake than retinol in the human diet for most people around the world. Their contribution depends on several factors, including bioavailability and capacity of conversion into retinol. There is an increasing body of research showing that the use of retinol activity equivalents or retinol equivalents could lead to the underestimation of the contribution of β-cryptoxanthin and of α-carotene. The aim is to assess their apparent bioavailability by comparing concentrations in blood to their dietary intakes and identifying the major food contributors to their dietary intake. Dietary intake (3-day 24-h records) and serum concentrations (by HPLC) were calculated in normolipemic subjects with adequate retinol status (≥1.1 µmol/L) from our studies (n = 633) and apparent bioavailability calculated from 22 other studies (n = 29,700). Apparent bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of concentration in the blood to carotenoid intake. Apparent bioavailabilities for α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were compared to those for β-carotene. Eating comparable amounts of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene foods resulted in 55% greater α-carotene (95% CI 35, 90) and 686% higher β-cryptoxanthin (95% CI 556, 1016) concentrations than β-carotene in blood. This suggests differences in the apparent bioavailability of α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and even larger differences with β-cryptoxanthin, greater than that of β-carotene. Four fruits (tomato, orange, tangerine, red pepper) and two vegetables (carrot, spinach) are the main contributors to their dietary intake (>50%) in Europeans.

Influence of high pressure homogenization and pasteurization on the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids and flavonoids in orange juice.

Production of high-quality healthy foods through sustainable methodologies is an urgent necessity. High pressure homogenization (HPH) is an interesting alternative to obtain premium citrus juices, but its effects on bioactive compounds are unclear. There was studied the influence of HPH (150MPa) and pasteurization (92°C for 30s and 85°C for 15s) processing on physicochemical properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids and flavonoids in orange juices. Regarding fresh juice, physicochemical properties of samples remained unchanged although cloudiness was improved by homogenization. Pasteurization did not affect total carotenoids content and retinol activity equivalents (RAE) of juices whereas homogenization yielded a significant reduction (1.37 and 1.35-fold, respectively). Interestingly, particle size reduction from homogenization drastically enhanced (about 5-fold) bioaccessibility of carotenoids including hardly bioaccessible epoxycarotenoids, finding unaltered rates in pasteurized samples. Bioaccessibility of flavonoids was constant in all cases. Results can promote HPH as an efficient option to obtain health-enhanced foods.

Development of a Screening Tool to Estimate Vitamin A Intake and Comparison with Detailed Dietary Assessment Methods

Abstract Objectives We aimed to develop and validate a tool to estimate vitamin A (VA) intake and identify children at risk of intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Methods We developed, pilot-tested, and refined a screening tool to estimate VA intake among Filipino children 12–18 mo of age. Data were entered into tablets with pre-loaded food composition data to calculate VA intake immediately. The screening tool was used to identify children likely to have “adequate” (one group: 200–500 µg retinol activity equivalents, RAE/d) or “high” (two groups: &amp;gt;600 µg retinol/d) intake. Interviewers administered four 24-h recalls, one 12-h observed weighed record with 12-h recall, and a 30-d supplement questionnaire. Breastmilk intake and VA concentration were measured among breastfeeding children. We compared the screening tool and detailed dietary assessment (DDA) results for primary VA sources, group mean usual intake, and prevalence of intakes above the UL. Results Major VA sources were similar between methods: fortified milk powders, multivitamin supplements, and breastmilk; contributions from intervention programs (e.g., micronutrient powders, fortified staple foods) were low. Mean usual retinol intakes for the high groups (n = 47 and 39, respectively) were 1218 and 1313 µg/d by screening tool vs. 1096 and 931 by DDA; 70 and 77% had usual intake above 600 µg/d. In the adequate group (n = 37), mean total VA intake was 375 and 559 µg RAE/d by screening and DDA, respectively. Conclusions This screening tool provides a reasonably good rapid estimate of VA intake among Filipino children and can be useful for identifying groups with adequate to excessive intakes. Funding Sources Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

Evaluating Provitamin A Carotenoids and Polar Metabolite Compositions during the Ripening Stages of the Agung Semeru Banana (Musa paradisiaca L. AAB).

Banana cultivars that are rich in provitamin A carotenoids and other nutrients may offer a potential food source to help alleviate vitamin A deficiencies, particularly in developing countries. The local plantain type banana, Agung Semeru (Musa paradisiaca L.), was investigated, in order to analyse the changes in the compositions of the provitamin A carotenoids and metabolite compounds, including the amino acids, organic acids, and sugars, during the ripening stage as this banana is widely processed for food products in either the unripe, ripe, or overripe stages. The bananas that had reached the desired ripening stages were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and the results indicated that the total provitamin A carotenoid concentrations ranged between 4748.83 μg/100 g dry weight (dw) and 7330.40 μg/100 g dw, with the highest level of vitamin A activity at 457.33 ± 5.18 μg retinol activity equivalents (RAE)/100 g dw. Compared to the Cavendish variety, which is consumed worldwide, the Agung Semeru banana had vitamin A activity that was 40 to 90 times higher, dependent on the stage of ripening. The breakdown of the starch during the ripening stages resulted in an increase of its sugar compounds, such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose, as well as its dominant organic acids, such as malic acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid, which were observed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) during the ripening stages. The findings of this study show that the Agung Semeru banana is a promising fruit that could be widely produced as a nutritional and energy food resource, due to its high levels of vitamin A activity and sugars.

Development of β‐carotene loaded nanoemulsion using the industrial waste of orange (Citrus reticulate) peel to improve in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids and use as natural food colorant

Converting waste to valuable products is increasingly getting attention in recent years. After extraction of juice in many fruits, the peel goes as waste. Herein, we have used orange (Citrus reticulate) peel waste to extract β-carotene. The extracted β-carotene was used to develop a stable nanoemulsion (NE) using a VXX750 ultrasonic homogenizer (Sonics & Materials, USA) to use as a natural colorant in food products. The droplet size and surface charge of developed NE were 143.7 nm and −38.2 mV. The addition of NE to the fruit juice significantly enhances its color, thus providing an alternative to the use of synthetic color. The NE further increases the β-carotene bioaccessibility and also retinol activity equivalent (RAE) in the fruit juice. Analysis of the Citrus reticulata peel extract was done using UV–Vis spectrophotometer and HPLC. The quantity of β-carotene extracted from Citrus reticulata peel was 23.57 μg/gm and total carotenoid content was 27.61 μg/gm. Practical applications Generating value added products from waste is the need of the hr for sustainable development and lowering environmental pollution caused by dumping the food waste. We have developed a β-carotene loaded NE from the waste of orange peel to act as natural food color as well as to increase the bioaccessibility of β-carotene increasing the nutritional value of the juice. After addition of the nanoemulsion, bioaccessibility of β-carotene and retinol activity equivalents (RAE) significantly increased. We have further used it as natural food colorant providing alternative to the synthetic food color.

Effect of Salicylic Acid on Carotenoids and Chlorophyll Content in Mas Cotek (Ficus deltoidea Jack var. trengganuensis) Leaves and its Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (control, 0.01, 0.10, 1.00 mM) on carotenoids and chlorophyll content and its retinol activity equivalents (RAE) value in Ficus deltoidea Jack var. trengganuensis leaves. In this study, 12 seedlings of Ficus deltoidea Jack var. trengganuensis were sprayed with different concentrations of SA. Carotenoid content was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and chlorophyll content was determined using chlorophyll meter. Retinol activity equivalents were calculated using RAE formulation. From the results obtained, two types of carotenoids, lutein and β-carotene, were detected in HPLC. The highest lutein and β-carotene content present in Ficus deltoidea Jack var. trengganuensis leaves extract was found in 0.10 mM SA treatment (93.50b ± 0.71 µg/g DW) for lutein and (282.00b ± 46.67 µg/g DW) for β-carotene, while the lowest lutein compound was found in 1.00 mM SA treatment (30.25a ± 1.77 µg/g DW) while the least β-carotenoid content was found in (1.00 mM SA) treatment (63.00a ± 0.71 µg/g DW). The same goes for retinol activity equivalents, the highest retinol activity equivalents was recorded in 0.10 mM SA treatment while lowest in 1.00 mM SA treatment. For chlorophyll content, the highest reading was showed in 0.10 mM SA treatment (73.50b ± 0.71 µg/g DW) while the lowest reading was in 1.00mM SA treatment (42.10a ± 1.41 µg/g DW). From this study, it can be concluded that salicylic acid at a certain concentration could increase or improve the carotenoid or chlorophyll content. Thus, it could be an alternative source of carotenoid and chlorophyll for the food and pharmaceutical industry in the future.

Pro-vitamin A carotenoid content of 48 plantain (Musa AAB genome) cultivars sourced from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUNDVitamin A deficiency (VAD) is widespread in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Unlike in developed countries, where the main source of vitamin A comes from meat, the diet of poor populations in SSA is largely plant based. It is thus important to identify local / popular plants with higher vitamin A content for combating VAD. Banana (including plantains) is an important staple food crop in this region. The identification and promotion of vitamin A‐rich banana cultivars could contribute significantly to the alleviation of VAD in areas heavily dependent on the crop. We assessed pro‐vitamin A carotenoid (pVACs) content in the fruit pulp of 48 local plantains from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to identify cultivars that could help reduce VAD, especially among young children and women of reproductive age.RESULTSMean pVACs content varied from 175–1756 μg/100 gfw in ripe fruits. Significant increases (P < 0.001) in total pVACs content occurred after ripening in all cultivars except ‘UCG II’. Retinol activity equivalents (RAE) in ripe fruits ranged from 12–113 μg/100 gfw. Fifteen plantain cultivars, including ‘Adili II’, ‘Nzirabahima’, ‘Mayayi’, ‘Buembe’, and ‘Sanza Tatu’ (associated with RAE values of 44 μg/100 gfw and above) can be considered as good sources of pVACs. Modest consumption (250 or 500 gfw) of the fruit pulp of the five best plantain cultivars at ripening stage 5 meets between 39–71% and 44–81% of vitamin A dietary reference intake (DRI) respectively, for children below 5 years old and women of reproductive age.CONCLUSIONThe 15 best plantain cultivars (especially the top 5) could potentially be introduced / promoted as alternative sources of pro‐vitamin A in banana‐dependent communities, and help to reduce cases of VAD substantially. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Maternal dietary intake of vitamin A during pregnancy was inversely associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

The pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is largely unknown; however, vitamin A seems to play a role in diaphragmatic development. Previous case-control studies reported that maternal dietary vitamin A intake was inversely associated with the risk of CDH. To our knowledge, however, there is no prospective evidence regarding this association. Our aim was to examine whether maternal intake of vitamin A was associated with CDH occurrence. Baseline data, from the Japan nationwide birth cohort study (2011-2014) of 89 658 mothers (mean age at delivery = 31·2 years) who delivered singleton live births, were analysed. We assessed dietary habits using an FFQ focused on the first trimester and estimated the daily intake of total vitamin A (retinol activity equivalents), retinol, provitamin A carotenoids and vegetables. The occurrence of CDH was ascertained from medical records. A total of forty cases of CDH were documented. The adjusted OR of CDH occurrence for the high total vitamin A intake category (median = 468 μg/d) was 0·6 (95 % CI 0·3, 1·2) with reference to the low intake category (230 μg/d). When we restricted to mothers with a prepregnancy BMI of 18·5-24·9 kg/m2, vitamin A intake was inversely associated with the risk of their children being born with CDH (OR 0·5, 95 % CI 0·2, 1·0). Even given the limited number of cases in the study, our findings provide additional evidence to link vitamin A with CDH.

Medicinal Plants as Sources of Retina Protective Carotenoids (Lutein, β-carotene) and their Radical Scavenging Property

The study assesses the Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE), lutein and zeaxanthin, total polyphenols and antioxidant potential of medicinal plants. Amongst plants, the highest levels (mg/100 g dry weight) of β-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin were detected in Centella asiatica, (197.5) and V. aroma (894.6). Interestingly, V. aroma (871, 85), Acacia concinna (587, 65), Centella asiatica (404, 198), Oxalis corniculata (501, 196) and Tinospara cordifolia (417, 120) are rich in β-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin. The RAE (RAE/100 g dry wt.) is higher in A. citratus (9.5), B. diffusa (13.0), C. asiatica (16.5) and V. negundo (10.1) respectively. Total polyphenols were higher in R. officinalis (10.26 mg/g) and B. diffusa (8.07 mg/g). Among plants, R. officinalis, P. amboinicus and B. diffusa, showed highest free-radical scavenging (98%) radical reducing power (73.61%) and inhibition of the peroxidation (33.4%). To conclude, plants having higher levels of RAE and lutein + zeaxanthin can ameliorate vitamin-A deficiency and age-related macular degeneration.

Modeling the Potential of Fortified Biscuits Too Address Micronutrient Deficiencies Among Preschool Children and Women in Cameroon (P10-116-19)

ObjectivesTo model the impacts of biscuits fortified with micronutrients (MN) on dietary nutrient adequacy among young children and women of reproductive age (WRA) in Cameroon. MethodsIn a nationally-representative survey stratified by macro-region (North, South, and Yaoundé/Douala), 24-h dietary recall data were collected from 843 children 12–59 months and 912 WRA. We simulated total MN intake under various scenarios using observed biscuit intake and addition of different amounts of vitamin A (VA) (200–600 μg Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE)/100 g), folic acid (46–300 μg/100 g), vitamin B12 (0.74–2 μg/100 g), zinc (2–8 mg/100 g) and iron (5–15 mg/100 g) to biscuits. Usual intake distributions and prevalence of inadequate intake for each scenario were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. ResultsBiscuits were consumed on the previous day by 11.2% of children nationally (4.5% South, 9.1% North, 20.7% Yaoundé/Douala) and 4.3% of WRA (1.5% South, 5.6% North, 5.9% Yaoundé/Douala). National baseline prevalence ± SE of inadequate intake among children was 59 ± 2% for VA, 49 ± 2% for folate, 85 ± 2% for vitamin B12, 70 ± 2% for iron, and 20–50% for zinc (depending on the cutoff used). Vitamin-fortified biscuits were predicted to have the greatest impact in Yaoundé/Douala, with reductions in inadequate intake of 10.3 percentage points (pp) for VA, 12.3 pp for folate, and 3.7 pp for vitamin B12, in the absence of other fortification programs. When existing programs for VA-fortified oil (12 mg VA/kg) and folic acid-fortified wheat flour (5.0 ppm) were considered in the model, the expected marginal impacts of folic acid and VA-fortified biscuits were reduced substantially for both children and WRA. Iron and zinc fortified biscuits were predicted to have no detectable impact on the prevalence of inadequacy among children and WRA for all fortification doses simulated, either in the presence or in the absence of fortified wheat flour. ConclusionsGiven current patterns of biscuit consumption in Cameroon, biscuit fortification at the modeled levels is unlikely to reduce the population prevalence of inadequate intakes. Fortified biscuits may contribute modestly to dietary adequacy of some nutrients (VA and folate) in the absence of staple food fortification programs, particularly in urban areas. Funding SourcesMars Co., Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Sight and Life, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Vitamin A decreases the anabolic bone response to mechanical loading by suppressing bone formation.

Increased vitamin A consumption is associated with decreased cortical bone mass and increased fracture risk in humans. Rodent studies have demonstrated that hypervitaminosis A increases cortical bone resorption, whereas the importance of the effects on bone formation is less well defined. We used an experimental model of increased bone formation by loading of the tibiae to investigate the effect of vitamin A on bone formation. Control [retinol activity equivalents (RAE) 4.5 µg/g chow] or vitamin A (RAE 60 µg/g chow) diets were given to female C57BL/6N mice for 4 wk, after which the tibiae were subjected to axial loading on alternate days for 2 wk, while the diets were continued. Vitamin A inhibited the loading-induced increase in trabecular and cortical bone volume. This was attributed to inhibition of loading-induced increase in osteoblast number and activity, and expression of osteoblastic genes Sp7, Alpl, and Col1a1 in cortical bone. Vitamin A, loading, and combination thereof also resulted in site-specific effects on bone composition measured by Raman spectroscopy. In summary, a clinically relevant dose of vitamin A suppresses the loading-induced gain of bone mass by decreasing bone formation. These observations may have implications for regulation of bone mass caused by physical activity and the risk of osteoporosis in humans.—Lionikaite, V., Henning, P., Drevinge, C., Shah, F. A., Palmquist, A., Wikström, P., Windahl, S. H., Lerner, U. H. Vitamin A decreases the anabolic bone response to mechanical loading by suppressing bone formation.

Household food unavailability due to financial constraints affects the nutrient intake of children.

A household's food unavailability due to financial constraints may act as a barrier to a healthy diet for children. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between food unavailability due to financial constraints and the nutrient intake of children aged 1-15 years using data of a nationwide survey among the Japanese population. Datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Survey and the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan, 2014 were used for this study. The dietary intakes of energy and nutrients were estimated using a one-day dietary record. Participants were categorized into four subgroups, according to their households' frequency of food unavailability due to financial constraints. The adjusted means and 95% confidential intervals of the energy and nutrient intakes in each subgroup were calculated using analysis of covariance. The statistical trends across the subgroups were examined using analysis of covariance. Of the 895 children included in the analysis, 202 (22.6%) were classified into subgroups with frequent food unavailability due to financial constraints. Significant decreases in the mean intakes of carbohydrate, calcium, retinol activity equivalents, riboflavin, folate and vitamin C were observed with increases in the frequency of households' food unavailability. In contrast, frequent food unavailability was associated with higher total fat and vitamin B12 intake. A substantial proportion of children in Japan experienced food unavailability due to financial constraints, and this affected their nutrient intake. Adopting a population approach may help overcome this problem.

Neurobehavioral and oxidative stress alterations following methylmercury and retinyl palmitate co-administration in pregnant and lactating rats and their offspring

Fish consumption and ubiquitous methylmercury (MeHg) exposure represent a public health problem globally. Micronutrients presented in fish affects MeHg uptake/distribution. Vitamin A (VitA), another fish micronutrient is used in nutritional supplementation, especially during pregnancy. However, there is no information about the health effects arising from their combined exposure. The present study aimed to examine the effects of both MeHg and retinyl palmitate administered to pregnant and lactating rats. Thirty Wistar female rats were orally supplemented with MeHg (0,5 mg/Kg/day) and retinyl palmitate (7500 μg RAE111μg RAE = micrograms of retinol activity equivalents (3,33 international units or IU)/Kg/day), either individually or in combination from the gestational day 0 to weaning. In dams, maternal behavior was scored. In neonatal and infant offspring, associative learning and neurodevelopment were evaluated. Further periadolescent male and female pups were assessed for open field, habituation and object recognition using episodic-like memory paradigm. Maternal and offspring redox parameters were evaluated. Our results showed no effects of MeHg-VitA co-administration in the quality of maternal care but showed subtle alterations in the pro-oxidant response of the hippocampus. In offspring, MeHg-VitA co-exposure affected early associative learning in neonatal pups, with no further modifications in neurodevelopment, and no locomotor or exploratory alterations in later developmental stages. Habituation was altered in a sex-dependent manner, but no overall memory disturbances were encountered. Finally, MeHg-VitA co-administration reduced lipoperoxidation in male offspring hippocampus. In conclusion, VitA co-administration in dams, under our exposure protocol, can counteract the deleterious neurodevelopmental effects solely attributed to low-dose MeHg in a tissue-specific mechanism, suggesting a protective effect of VitA against MeHg-induced oxidative damage in the central nervous system, especially in the offspring. Further work is needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MeHg-VitA modulation. Pre-clinical assays are necessary to demonstrate the potential therapeutical use of VitA in populations directly or indirectly exposed to MeHg.

Development, validity, and reproducibility of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire for the assessment of antioxidant vitamins intake in Lebanon.

The growing interest in the possible role of antioxidant vitamins in many pathologies makes the methods of evaluating the intakes of these vitamins necessary. The food frequency questionnaire is the most widely used tool in epidemiologic studies and large-scale surveys to assess long-term nutritional exposure and to determine the usual intake of specific foods or nutrients. The aims of this study were to develop and investigate the validity and reproducibility of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) to evaluate the antioxidant vitamins intake in the Lebanese population and for use in clinical trials. An SQFFQ draft was built with the major sources of vitamins with antioxidant properties initially selected from food that have the higher percentages of the daily value of vitamins A, C, and E; listed in the US Department of Agriculture tables. We used food intake data that were available through a 24-h dietary recall (3 weekdays and 1 weekend day) among a subsample of 50 participants to complete the SQFFQ. We sought the major sources of the most frequently reported antioxidant vitamins, portion sizes, and percentages of the daily value of the major sources of these vitamins (developed by the US Department of Agriculture) to build a 34-item SQFFQ. The consumption frequency was coded as daily, weekly, monthly, or occasionally and one to three times or more. Five hundred Lebanese participants (the previous 50 who provided the 24 h dietary recall, along with 450 new participants) completed the questionnaire, whereas only 50 and 42 were accepted to be enrolled in the validity and reproducibility studies, respectively. To assess validity, the questionnaire was compared with the 24-h dietary recall performed on a subsample of 50 participants who already completed the SQFFQ. The reproducibility was assessed by comparing baseline SQFFQ with a second administration of the SQFFQ 3 to 5 wk later at the same dietetic clinic. The means of daily consumption of vitamins A, C, and E based on the SQFFQ and the 24 h data were as follows: Vitamin A: 252.5 ± SD 958.9 versus 242.6 ± SD 580.5 mcg of retinol activity equivalents (µg RAE), Vitamin C: 86.5 ± SD 59.9 versus 85.5 ± SD 56.2 µg, and Vitamin E: 17 ± SD 7.2 versus 17.1 ± SD 7.9 µg. The Pearson correlation coefficients of the three vitamins between dietary intake estimates derived from the SQFFQ and 24-h data were, respectively, r = 0.83, 0.98, and 0.9; they were highly significant at P < 0.001. One sample t tests and Bland-Altman plots confirmed this validity. The reproducibility of the SQFFQ was assessed using the Cronbach α index that measures reliability between different components (for vitamin A: 0.994, vitamin C: 0.998, and vitamin E: 0.975). The correlation matrix (interitem correlation) showed that all elements were highly correlated (r > 0.4) and even close to 1 (for vitamin A = 0.989, vitamin C = 0.995, and vitamin E = 0.95). In this study, we described the development of an SQFFQ. Based on the results, we found the SQFFQ to be valid and reproducible to assess intake of antioxidant vitamins in Lebanese adults.<END ABSTRACT>.