Vitamin A cannot be synthesized by the body and, therefore, is an essential nutrient to be included in the diet. It is important for good vision, healthy eyes, healthy skin and to fight infections.
Vitamin A refers to the interconvertible compounds retinal and retinol. Both these can be converted into various other metabolites that are functionally important. The transformation into these metabolites are irreversible. Retinoic acid is one such metabolite.
Where do we get our Vitamin A from?
Foods like milk, liver, fish oil and eggs contain preformed vitamin A. Beta Carotene found in carrots and green leafy vegetables can be converted in the body into vitamin A, an important source for vegetarians.
What is beta carotene?
Beta carotene is an ideal provitamin A carotenoid and it needs to be converted into active vitamin A in the body. Carotenoids are found in plants and they are responsible for the distinct colours that some fruits and vegetables boast of. Carrots get their orange colour because of Beta carotene.
What is the daily requirement for beta carotene?
According to The National Institute of Health, the following is the recommended daily intake of beta carotene
- Adult male – 3000 I.U.
- Adult females- 2,310 I.U.
- Children- 4 to 8 years- 1200 I.U.
- Children- 9 to 13 years- 2000 I.U.
More about Beta Carotene Conversion to vitamin A
Once it is consumed, beta carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is then utilised by the body for various functions. It is estimated that nearly 50% of vitamin A in a diet is due to beta carotene and other such carotenoids.
The major organs that are associated with beta carotene conversion are the liver and the intestines. The liver is associated with storing major proportion of retinoid. There are two enzymes associated with beta carotene conversion to vitamin A
- BCO1- β-Carotene ′ oxygenase-1- provitamin A as substrate
- BCO2- β-carotene 9′,10′ oxygenase-2- non provitamin A- (Lutein or xanthine)as substrate
What influences beta carotene conversion?
Beta carotene conversion to vitamin A is extremely variable with the estimated number of low responders to dietary beta carotene as high as 45%. Genetic variants in the BCM01 gene are associated with the conversion of beta carotene into retinol.
Upload your 23andme raw data or your Ancestry DNA raw data to identify the variant of rs7501331 that you carry
| Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|
| TT | [Limitation] Likely reduced beta carotene conversion |
| CT | [Limitation] Likely reduced beta carotene conversion |
| CC | [Advantage] Likely normal beta carotene conversion |
Upload your 23andme raw data or your Ancestry DNA raw data to identify the variant of rs12934922 that you carry
| Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|
| TT | [Limitation] Likely reduced beta carotene conversion |
| AT | [Limitation] Likely reduced beta carotene conversion |
| AA | [Advantage] Likely normal beta carotene conversion |
Enzyme activity based on genetic variant carried
A study by researchers from Newcastle University showed that individuals who carried the T allele of rs7501331 have a 32% reduction in enzyme activity while individuals who carried T allele for both rs7501331 and rs12934922 had 69% reduction in enzyme activity.
A more recent study by the researchers from the same university showed that apart from these two genetic variants in the BCM01 gene, there were other variants that had an influence on enzyme activity.
Other variants of interest are rs11645428, rs6420424 and rs6564851.
What are the uses of vitamin A?
Vitamin A is important for vision and is used in the treatment of cataracts and age related macular degeneration. It is also important for skin and immune system.
What are the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency?
Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health across the world. Each year, approximately 250,000–300,000 vitamin A-deficient children become and half of them have been reported to die within a year after getting blind.
The following are some of the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency
- Poor vision
- Thinning and ulceration of the cornea
- Loss of vision
- Dry hair and skin
- Throat infections
- Miscarriage/ infertility
- Delayed growth
What are the benefits of beta carotene?
Beta carotene is considered pre-vitamin but it also known to have certain benefits.
- Antioxidant property: Beta carotene is known for its anti-oxidant property and reduce the presence of free radicals that give rise to chronic diseases.
- Protection against UV radiation: This carotenoid is also known to protect against UV radiations which could give rise to erythema, redness or skin irritations.
- Oral Leukoplakia: A study by University of Arizona showed that beta carotene is effective against thick white patches of oral leukoplakia
- Improve respiratory function: Beta carotene is also known to improve respiratory function and reduce phlegm production
How much Vitamin A is in a carrot?
Each carrot is known to contain about 10 – 50 mg of beta carotene, apart from other nutrients.
What are the foods rich in beta carotene?
The following are some of the foods rich in beta carotene
| Range mg/100 g | β-Carotene |
|---|---|
| 20 -50 | Red peppers, carrot and caprika |
| 10 -20 | Carrots, red peppers |
| 5 to 10 | Acai berry drink, carrot juice, carrots, chili powder, kale, parsley pumpkin, spinach, turnip greens |
| 1 to 5 | Apricots, broccoli, cabbage Chinese, cherries, chicory greens endive, lettuce (green and red leaf), melons, oregano, parsley peas green, peppers green, plums, pumpkin, sweet potato, thyme, watercress |
Source: Non-Provitamin A and Provitamin A Carotenoids as Immunomodulators: Recommended Dietary Allowance, Therapeutic Index, or Personalized Nutrition?
What is beta carotene toxicity?
- Increased risk of cancer: Excess of retinoids are known to lead to teratogenic effects . High levels of beta carotene are known to increase the risk for certain types of cancers. One study found that there was an increased risk of lung cancer after β-carotene supplementation among smokers and people who drank more than 11 g ethanol/d .
- Carotenodermia: High levels of beta carotene can affect the skin and lead to a condition known as carotenodermia. The soles of the feet and the palms turn yellow
Beta carotene conversion to vitamin A – is it sufficiently carried out in your body?
Too little beta carotene or too much both have their share of risk, which makes genetic testing for vitamin A needs important. How well your body converts beta carotene into retinol or vitamin A will help you identify the amount of beta carotene that should be consumed, from the diet or as a supplement.
Genetic testing companies like 23andme and Xcode Life sciences check for 650,000 markers. Uploading your 23andme raw data or any other ancestry raw data to avail Xcode’s nutrition report can be used to identify your vitamin A needs.
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