The effect of dietary fiber on the postprandial serum vitamin A concentration in man

Abstract

In 11 normal female subjects, ages 19 to 22 years, the postprandial serum vitamin A concentration was measured 3, 5, 7, and 9 hr after oral administration of 300,000 IU vitamin A-palmitate given with a formula diet to which was added 40 g wheat bran, 40 g microcrystalline cellulose, 15 g apple pectin, 15 g guar flour, 15 g carob bean flour, or 20 g carrageenan. When vitamin A was given together with guar flour and apple pectin 3 hr after starting the experiment, the mean serum vitamin A concentration was significantly higher than in controls. Areas under serum vitamin A concentration curves, taken as a measure of the amount of vitamin A absorbed, were significantly higher when the vitamin was administered together with the investigated dietary fiber substances.