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- Title
The effect of a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene on the vitamin A status of primary school children: a comparison with beta-carotene from a synthetic source in a randomised controlled trial.
- Authors
van Stuijvenberg, M E; Dhansay, M A; Lombard, C J; Faber, M; Benadé, A J
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To determine the effect of a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene on the vitamin A status of primary school children and to compare this with the effect of a biscuit with beta-carotene from a synthetic source.<bold>Design: </bold>Randomised controlled trial.<bold>Setting: </bold>A rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.<bold>Subjects: </bold>A total of 437 primary school children, aged 5--11 y; 400 completed the study.<bold>Intervention: </bold>Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, receiving, respectively: (i) a placebo biscuit; (ii) a biscuit with synthetic beta-carotene as a vitamin A fortificant (SB); (iii) a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene (PB); SB and PB supplied 30% of the RDA for vitamin A per serving of three biscuits. Biscuits were distributed daily during the school week; vitamin A status was assessed at baseline and after 3 months.<bold>Results: </bold>There was a significant improvement in serum retinol compared to the control group in both the SB and PB groups (P<0.005); the treatment effect for the two groups was equivalent (difference in treatment effect 0.62 microg/dl, with a 90% CI -0.33--1.57).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>A biscuit with red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene is as effective as a biscuit with synthetic beta-carotene in improving the vitamin A status of primary school children. The additional qualities of red palm oil (ie no trans fatty acids; rich source of antioxidants) make it an excellent alternative fortificant for addressing vitamin A deficiency.
- Publication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2001, Vol 55, Issue 8, p657
- ISSN
0954-3007
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601196