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T95-56                                         Brad Stone
Oct. 6, 1995                                   (202) 205-4144
                   VITAMIN A AND BIRTH DEFECTS
     The forthcoming New England Journal of Medicine article on
the possible relationship between the consumption of vitamin A at
levels at, or above, 10,000 IU (200% of the Daily Value, or DV)
or 3000 Retinol equivalents (REs) and some types of birth defects
raises serious public health concerns.  A relationship between
vitamin A intakes and birth defects has been known for some time,
but the level of vitamin A that was associated with earlier
studies was much higher than the levels indicated by the new
study.
     As a precautionary measure, FDA has several recommendations
for women of child-bearing age relative to consuming foods
containing vitamin A, including dietary supplements.
     First, the form of vitamin A that is of concern is pre-
formed vitamin A.  Pre-formed vitamin A is found in animal
products, primarily liver, and also may be added to fortified
foods such as breakfast cereals and dietary supplements.
(Examples of pre-formed vitamin A include retinyl palmitate and
retinyl acetate, which are found in the products' ingredient
                             -more-
 
                                      Page 2, T95-56 Vitamin A
listings.)  Women need to limit their intakes to about 100% of
the DV for pre-formed vitamin A from these sources of this
nutrient.
     On the other hand, beta-carotene is a substance found
naturally in plants, and it can be converted to vitamin A in the
body.  It is considerably less toxic than the pre-formed vitamin
A.  Therefore, women of child-bearing age are advised to choose
fortified foods that contain vitamin A in the form of beta-
carotene rather than pre-formed vitamin A, whenever possible.
The vitamin A in fruits and vegetables is naturally in the form
of beta-carotene, and high intakes of vitamin A from these
sources is generally not of concern.
     Finally, vitamin A is an essential nutrient and, as with all
nutrients, the good health of women throughout child-bearing
years, including during pregnancy, is dependent on consuming
needed amounts of this nutrient.  Taking too little vitamin A can
result in adverse effects just as can taking in too much.  The
key is in finding the "right amount" through carefully reading
product nutrition labeling.
                               ####

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