Plasma response of children to short-term chronic β-carotene supplementation

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Abstract
Plasma concentrations of β-carotene and retinol after supplementation of children with β-carotene in supplements and in foods were compared in Guatemalan children. The children received 6 mg/d β-carotene [1000 retinol equivalents (RE)] as purified supplements or as carrots for 20 d and the effects on plasma β-carotene and retinol concentrations were assessed. Plasma concentrations of β-carotene were increased by 0.59 ± 0.65 and 0.60 ± 0.67 µmol/L after supplementation with β-carotene capsules for 10 and 20 d, respectively. Addition of cooked carrots to the diet resulted in no significant change in plasma β-carotene. Fasting plasma retinol concentrations were 1.23 ± 0.35 µmol/L and were not significantly changed in response to supplementation with either of the carotene treatments or with retinyl palmitate (1000 RE/d) for 20 d. Possible explanations for the differences in effects of plasma concentrations between the two methods of supplementation are discussed.