Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron nutrition among healthy adults:an intervention study

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of supplementary vitamin A(VA)on nutrition status and inadequate intake of iron among healthy adults.MethodsA total of 120 healthy volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into a control group and three VA intervention groups(taking a tablet with different doses VA once per 5 day for six months).Fasting venous blood samples of the participants were collected before and after the intervention for related detections.ResultsThere were no significant differences in age,body mass index,serum total cholesterol,serum triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein,dietary VA intake,and iron intake(all P>0.05)but significant differences in the variation of serum retinol concentration after the intervention(P<0.05)among the 4 groups.The concentration of hemoglobin did not change significantly after the intervention among all the participants(P>0.05).After the intervention the serum iron nutrition indexes changed significantly for the participants in the group with high dose VA intervention(P<0.05)but not for those in other three groups(P>0.05).ConclusionHigh dose VA supplementation without dietary iron intervention could improve iron nutritional status among healthy adults.