The Claim

In two healthy adult humans, daily supplementation with 10,000 IU of vitamin A for approximately 21 days was associated with a lower ratio of labeled retinyl ester to beta-carotene concentrations during the absorptive phase after ingestion of [14C]beta-carotene, indicating reduced cleavage of beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Source: Absorption and retinol equivalence of β-carotene in humans is influenced by dietary vitamin A intake Published, JLR Papers in Press, June 1, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300116-JLR200

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
24score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking a lot of vitamin A every day for about three weeks might make your body break down beta-carotene (from food) into vitamin A less efficiently.

See the scientific wording

In two healthy adults, vitamin A supplementation at 10,000 IU/day for about 21 days was associated with a lower ratio of labeled retinyl ester to beta-carotene concentrations during the absorptive phase following ingestion of [14C]beta-carotene, suggesting reduced cleavage of beta-carotene into vitamin A.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Absorption and retinol equivalence of β-carotene in humans is influenced by dietary vitamin A intake Published, JLR Papers in Press, June 1, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300116-JLR200

    The study found that when people took vitamin A supplements, their bodies broke down less beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is exactly what the claim says.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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