[Dietary iron absorption. Role of vitamin A].

Iron and vitamin A are essential nutrients for human growing, development and maintenance. Deficiency of these elements is a public health problem especially in developing countries. Recently it has been reported that vitamin A has a favorable effect on iron absorption, probably due to the formation of an iron-vitamin A chelate, that keeps iron soluble and available for absorption. This vitamin establishes a competence with other iron-binding molecules (phytates and polyphenols) that are not absorbed and render insoluble iron. Food enrichment programs with both iron and vitamin A, will provide these two essential nutrients and also an enhanced iron absorption even from diets with a high content of inhibitors.