Red Palm Oil in the Prevention of Vitamin A Deficiency

Abstract

Red palm oil, 4 ml daily, was given to children from 1 to 5 years of age in two communities as a source of provitamin A. They were examined clinically and biochemically before and during treatment. Similar examinations were made in two control villages. Children of one village were given decolorized palm oil, those of the other village, no supplement. Xerophthalmia decreased significantly from 7% incidence in one of the treated villages; in the other it remained at a level of about 3%. Serum vitamin A levels increased significantly in both villages. There was no significant change in incidence of xerophthalmia or in blood vitamin A levels in the control villages. Children in a fifth village received skim milk fortified with vitamin A. It had been suggested that in the absence of fat the vitamin would not be absorbed. A rise in serum vitamin A indicated that the vitamin is absorbed even on a diet low in fat.