Study Finds Indians Lack Essential Nutrients: Iron, Calcium, and Folate
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health journal reveals that Indians are not consuming adequate amounts of essential nutrients, including iron, calcium, and folate. Researchers from Harvard University were part of the team conducting this study across 185 countries.
The study utilized publicly available data from the Global Dietary Database to assess the nutritional intake of 99.3% of the world’s population without considering fortified foods or dietary supplements. The findings uncovered several surprising insights.
Approximately 70% of the global population, equating to over five billion people, lack sufficient intake of iodine, vitamin E, and calcium. The study also highlights that women are more likely than men to have deficiencies in iodine, vitamin B12, and iron, while men are more prone to deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, and vitamin C.
In India, the study found that women are more commonly deficient in iodine, whereas men are more likely to lack zinc and magnesium. Additionally, individuals aged between 10 and 30 are at a higher risk of calcium deficiency. This deficiency is particularly prevalent in regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
The report notes that these findings may not align with regions where fortified foods or supplements are widely used, clarifying that the study focused on populations not consuming fortified nutrients.
The research is expected to assist public health experts in easily identifying populations in need of essential nutrients. Overall, the study underscores the importance of a balanced diet rich in essential micronutrients and highlights the ongoing global nutritional challenges. Health experts emphasize the need for continued research and data collection to understand and address these challenges effectively.
Discussion about this post