FIGURE 1.

Infections can alter micronutrient status. For example, for vitamin A, illness can negatively affect status through 1) decreased dietary intake caused by cytokine-induced sickness behavior, 2) reduced intestinal absorption during both enteric and nonenteric infection, and 3) increased urinary excretion. Infection also suppresses the release of vitamin A from the liver, reducing plasma concentrations and thus possibly altering utilization of liver stores. CNS, central nervous system. Adapted from reference 110 with permission.