Influence of provitamin A carotenoids on iron, zinc, and vitamin A status

Bioavailable iron, vitamin A, and zinc are mainly provided in the human diet by animal source foods. In the developing world, where poorer individuals consume predominantly plant-based diets, deficiencies of these micronutrients are common and can occur in the same individual. Infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women are most at-risk of deficiency because of their extra requirements for growth...In the context of plant breeding and biotechnology to enhance the levels of — or improve the bioavailability of — iron, provitamin A carotenoids, and zinc to combat micronutrient malnutrition, this review discusses in detail the influence of vitamin A status on iron utilization and the consequent impact on iron status.