Absorption of β-Carotene from Green Leafy Vegetables in Undernourished Children

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Abstract
Balance studies were carried out in six undernourished preschool children to determine the efficiency of absorption of β-carotene from amaranth. The results showed that the absorption of β-carotene was about 70%, a value similar to that reported for normal adults, suggesting thereby that the absorption of carotene is not impaired in children with a mild degree of protein-calorie malnutrition. Thirty-two undernourished preschool children were given a daily supplement of 40 g amaranth providing 1,200 εg of β-carotene for 2 weeks with serum vitamin A levels determined initially and again on the 15th day. There was a significant increase in serum vitamin A after feeding the green, leafy vegetable. The rise in serum level was more marked in those children in whom the initial level was below 25 εg than in those with the level already in the normal range. Results of these studies suggest that by encouraging the consumption of green, leafy vegetables among the people in the poor communities and without introducing any other change in their diets, the incidence of vitamin A deficiency can be lowered considerably.

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