ENRICHMENT OF MLLK VITAMIN A IN NORMAL LACTATING WOMEN: A Comparison Following Administration of Vitamin A in Aqueous and Oily Mediums

THE PURPOSE of this investigation was to determine whether vitamin A in aqueous dispersion given to lactating women increases the vitamin A content of the milk secreted more effectively than vitamin A administered in oil. Recent investigations have well established that the absorption of vitamin A from aqueous dispersions is far more efficient than when vitamin A is administered in oil. This was shown by the results of (1) vitamin A tolerance tests in newborn infants, older children and adults, (2) vitamin A storage tests in rats and (3) vitamin A balance studies. 1 Most of the absorption with aqueous mediums takes place in the upper part of the jejunum, and with oily solutions, in the lower part of the jejunum. 2 In addition to improved absorption, the blood vitamin A levels obtained with aqueous mediums are far higher than those obtained with oily solutions. Theoretically, the transference of vitamin