Half of women denied vitamin A source

Published on Tuesday 17 November 2009 19:52

ALMOST half Britain's women may lack an important source of vitamin A due to a genetic defect, research has shown.

The micronutrient helps the immune system ward off common infections such as flu and is important for healthy skin.

Vitamin A can be obtained from certain foods such as dairy products, liver and eggs. But another key source is beta-carotene, the orange pigment in carrots, which is converted into the vitamin in the body.

The research suggests almost 50 per cent of British women have a genetic variation which blocks their ability to produce vitamin A from beta-carotene.

Many women rely on eating carrots or taking beta-carotene supplements to maintain healthy levels of the vitamin.

Dr Georg Lietz led researchers from the University of Newcastle who analysed DNA from a volunteer group of 62 women.

They found that 29 of the women, or 47 per cent, carried the gene mutation that prevented them from effectively converting beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Dr Lietz said: "Vitamin A is incredibly important – particularly at this time of year when we are all trying to fight off the winter colds and flu."