Vitamin A
John Litchfield
Due to findings by the Expert Group on Vitamins and
Minerals (EVM) in 2003 on the risks of having a high vitamin A
intake, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has requested further
research.
The FSA asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on
Nutrition (SACN) to look into evidence that high intakes of
vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis in later life.
They have concluded that people who eat liver, a rich
source of vitamin A, or liver products more than once a week
should not increase this amount or take vitamin A supplements.
Women who have been through the menopause or men over 65,
who are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, should
avoid eating more than 1.5mg of vitamin A per day and pregnant
women should avoid liver, liver products and vitamin A
supplements as excessive quantities can be harmful to an
unborn baby.
It should be noted that for the majority of people eating
liver more than once per week there is no cause for panic as
concerns are over regular consumption over many years.
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