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Anti-Eczema Diet of Lamb and Cheerios Leads to Boy's Vision Loss (2017)

6 points by 80mph 7y ago

woliveirajr 7y ago
> One thing those foods have in common? None are a good source of vitamin A. Indeed, when the doctors measured the levels of vitamin A in the boy's blood, they found that he had a vitamin A deficiency. The boy's blood levels of vitamin A were 14.3 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL); the normal range for this vitamin is 25.8 to 48.7 ug/dL, according to the report. Cohen said the boy's deficiency was severe. I didn't understand if the diet was home-developed or was prescribed by some doctor. If it was the former, why simple supplements weren't added ?
- 80mph 7y ago
  Even if he took a supplement, it's possible he wasn't absorbing it properly. Most supplement makers are reluctant to include high doses of Vitamin A in retinyl form, because it can cause liver damage. However, vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene has it's own host of absorption issues. In addition to being fat-soluble (i.e., must be taken with a sufficient amount of fat, or else it will compete with any other fat-soluble vitamins in the meal), it is also affected by high dosage of certain minerals. From ConsumerLab: High doses of ferrous iron (but not ferric iron) or other minerals (calcium, magnesium, and zinc) from supplements may decrease the absorption of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene and astaxanthin, from foods and/or supplements. This is likely due to a reaction between carotenoids and the divalent ions of these minerals, making the carotenoids less bioavailable (Corte-Real, Food Chem 2016; Biehler, J Nutr 2011). It is best to take carotenoid supplements at a different time of day than a supplement or meal containing large amounts of a mineral. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Vitamin_A_Retinol_Beta-Carotene_Cod_Liver_Oil/Vitamin_A/#whatitdoes https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Vitamin_A_Retinol_Beta-C... (paid registration required)
pisky 7y ago
From the article: potatoes, pork, lamb, apples, cucumbers and Cheerios. The addition of potatoes and apples makes the case far more interesting imo, as it makes the diet closer to what many people might think is sufficient.

6 points by 80mph 7y ago

> One thing those foods have in common? None are a good source of vitamin A. Indeed, when the doctors measured the levels of vitamin A in the boy's blood, they found that he had a vitamin A deficiency. The boy's blood levels of vitamin A were 14.3 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL); the normal range for this vitamin is 25.8 to 48.7 ug/dL, according to the report. Cohen said the boy's deficiency was severe. I didn't understand if the diet was home-developed or was prescribed by some doctor. If it was the former, why simple supplements weren't added ?

80mph 7y ago
Even if he took a supplement, it's possible he wasn't absorbing it properly. Most supplement makers are reluctant to include high doses of Vitamin A in retinyl form, because it can cause liver damage. However, vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene has it's own host of absorption issues. In addition to being fat-soluble (i.e., must be taken with a sufficient amount of fat, or else it will compete with any other fat-soluble vitamins in the meal), it is also affected by high dosage of certain minerals. From ConsumerLab: High doses of ferrous iron (but not ferric iron) or other minerals (calcium, magnesium, and zinc) from supplements may decrease the absorption of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene and astaxanthin, from foods and/or supplements. This is likely due to a reaction between carotenoids and the divalent ions of these minerals, making the carotenoids less bioavailable (Corte-Real, Food Chem 2016; Biehler, J Nutr 2011). It is best to take carotenoid supplements at a different time of day than a supplement or meal containing large amounts of a mineral. https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Vitamin_A_Retinol_Beta-Carotene_Cod_Liver_Oil/Vitamin_A/#whatitdoes https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Vitamin_A_Retinol_Beta-C... (paid registration required)

pisky 7y ago

From the article: potatoes, pork, lamb, apples, cucumbers and Cheerios. The addition of potatoes and apples makes the case far more interesting imo, as it makes the diet closer to what many people might think is sufficient.