Vitamin A deficiency due to genetic variation

Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Turbo in Buzz

Researchers found that a genetic variation is responsible for lack of vitamin A in about 50% of British women.

Dr. Georg Lietz and his team from Newcastle University in England report that about 50% of women had genetic variation which was responsible in preventing convertion of beta-carotene to vitamin A.
Georg Lietz and his team’s study was published in Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal.

Their study suggest that beta-carotene may not substitute for the vitamin A in those who cannot convert beta-carotene to vitamin A. Lietz et al., also expressed concern over that fact that younger women who tend to take diets rich in beta carotene are at higher risk of vitamin A deficiency unlike older generation who directly get vitamin A from foods including eggs, liver and milk.

The study needs followup in larger samples and conclusive results.