Conclusion
This study challenges the assumption that 6 mg dietary bcarotene
provides 1 RE. The mean apparent effectiveness of fruit
in improving vitamin A status was 50% (95% CI: 21%, 100%)
whereas that of dark-green, leafy vegetables and carrots was
23% (8%, 46%) of that assumed previously. This has important
implications for the choice of strategies for controlling vitamin
A deficiency. The role of vitamin A capsules should not be
underestimated and dietary diversification should, wherever possible,
specifically aim at increasing the intake of vitamin A from
fruit, animal food, and fortified food and at maximizing the
bioavailability of carotenoids from dark-green, leafy vegetables.