Spirulina can Increase the Total Body Vitamin A Storage of Chinese Children

Objective To assess the efficacy of spirulina supplement rich in β‐carotene on vitamin A status of Chinese school‐age children. Method Two hundred and twenty eight children (6–11 y) were randomly divided into 3 groups and ate their meals at school with 0, 2 or 4 g of spirulina in their breakfast 5 day /wk for 10 wk. Before and after intervention, each child was given 0.5 mg [ 2 H 4 ] retinly acetate and [ 2 H 8 ] retinyl acetate, respectively. Blood samples (3 mL) were collected on 3rd and 21st days after each labeled vitamin A doses. Concentrations and enrichments of retinol and β‐carotene in serum samples were determined by using HPLC and a mass spectrometer. Results After 10 wk intervention, serum β‐carotene concentrations of children with 2 g or 4 g spirulina supplement increased from 0.06 mg/L to 0.14 and 0.27 mg/L, respectively. Total‐body vitamin A stores increased significantly with a median increase of 0.227 and 0.397 mmole, respectively. Conclusion Spirulina is a good dietary source of β‐carotene and retinol, which can improve vitamin A status of Chinese school‐age children. (Funded by the Nestle Foundation, Lausanne, Switzerland)