Supplementation of red palm olein-enriched biscuits improves levels of provitamin A carotenes, iron, and erythropoiesis in vitamin A-deficient primary schoolchildren: a double-blinded randomised controlled trial

Tan PY 1 , Loganathan R 2 , Teng KT 1 , Mohd Johari SN 3 , Lee SC 4 , Selvaduray KR 1 Show all authors , Ngui R 3 , Lim YA 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 2 Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. radhika@mpob.gov.my
  • 3 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 4 Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
  • 5 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. limailian@um.edu.my
Eur J Nutr, 2024 Apr;63(3):905-918.
PMID: 38240773 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03314-6

Abstract

PURPOSE: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a significant contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries; therefore, the implementation of sustainable and cost-effective approaches to control VAD is of utmost pertinence. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of red palm olein (RPO)-enriched biscuit supplementation in improving vitamin A, haematological, iron, and inflammatory status among vitamin A-deficient schoolchildren.

METHODS: We conducted a double-blinded, randomised controlled trial involving 651 rural primary schoolchildren (8-12 years) with VAD in Malaysia. The schoolchildren were randomised to receive either RPO-enriched biscuits (experimental group, n = 334) or palm olein-enriched biscuits (control group, n = 317) for 6-month duration.

RESULTS: Significant improvements in retinol and retinol-binding protein 4 levels were observed in both groups after supplementation (P 

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