scholarly journals Application and significance of fortification in prevention of micronutrient deficiency-induced diseases

2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (Suppl. 2) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
Konstansa Lazarevic ◽  
Maja Nikolic ◽  
Vladimir Mitrovic
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
National Level ◽  
Population Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Specific Population ◽  
Serbia And Montenegro ◽  
Number Of Children

Fortification is defined as adding of one or more essential elements to food article, regardless of whether it has been already added to food or not, in order to prevent or correct deficiency of one or more nutrients in the general population or specific population group. Food fortification with minerals and vitamins helps eliminate diseases such as goiter, rickets, beriberi, and pellagra. Significant results have been also achieved in prevention of anemia and vitamin A deficiency. The aforementioned deficiencies can be prevented and eliminated by means of appropriate and diverse nutrition and supplementation of deficient micronutrients, but on the national level, food fortification is the best solution. Two basic conditions for the application of fortification are the following: that the food article is in wide use and that it is cheap (available). The purpose of our paper was to show the results achieved by means of fortification in various countries in order to build up the basis for similar propositions in our country (Serbia and Montenegro). Owing to fortification in Asia, the number of cretinism cases has been reduced by half while sugar fortification significantly reduced the number of children with vitamin A deficiency. For more than 50 years, flour fortification with iron in order to prevent its deficiency and anemia, has been successfully applied in the United States and Canada, and as of recently in some countries of Africa and South America. The analysis of the results leads to the conclusion that food fortification has had beneficial health effects in the communities where it has been applied.

Vitamin A Deficiency and Maternal-Infant Transmission of HIV in Two Metropolitan Areas in the United States

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-90
Author(s):  
B L Greenberg ◽  
R D Semba ◽  
P E Vink ◽  
J J Farley ◽  
M Sivapalasingam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States

scholarly journals ROLE OF NUTRITION IN MAINTAINING NORMAL EYESIGHT-A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naghma Nazrana ◽  
Tejasvi Jain ◽  
Sanjay Verma
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid

The eye is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress as a result of its high oxygen consumption, high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and cumulative exposure to high-energy visible light. This combination of factors leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species that can trigger oxidative damage to ocular tissues. There is evidence that the human consumer should avoid excessive supplementation with carotenoids. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids are linked to eye disease (as well as multiple other chronic diseases) in both positive and negative ways. Dietary poly-unsaturated fatty acids fall into two major groups, i.e., omega-6 (mainly linoleic acid and arachidonic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids, mainly alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States, but it is common among the poor in developing countries. It's estimated that approximately 250,000 to 500,000 malnourished children worldwide become blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency that could have been prevented with a proper diet. A lack of vitamin A causes the cornea to become very dry, leading to clouding of the front of the eye, corneal ulcers and vision loss. Vitamin A deficiency also causes damage to the retina, which also contributes to blindness. Keywords: Vitamin A, DHA, Glaucoma, retinopathy

scholarly journals Association of genetic variation with disproportionate vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women of certain ethnicities in the United States.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana J Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Serum Retinol

Abstract Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that plays critical roles in many biological functions of the body. Limited access to vitamin A-rich food or supplements severely affects tissue and blood levels of vitamin A. Therefore, low serum vitamin A and poverty levels are strongly associated in vitamin A deficiency (VAD) studies that have focused mainly on developing countries. The current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency in the United States is reported to be very low (<1%). However, several studies, including ours, have suggested that people from certain ethnic groups still face a higher proportion of vitamin A deficiency. We hypothesize that the genetic variations between ethnic groups may associate to the VAD proportional differences between women of different ancestries. To assess the associations, we re-analyzed two independent datasets of serum retinol levels of pregnant women in the United States and three datasets of genotypic information of different ancestries. We found that pregnant women with non-Hispanic Black and with Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry have strikingly high proportions of VAD compared to non-Hispanic White and Latin American/Mexican ancestry. Genotypic analyses showed that the minor allele frequencis of genetic variants that associate to serum retinol levels have significantly higher variations between these different ancestries. Our study revealed that VAD rates in the pregnant women differ between different ancestries and that ancestry-dependent genetic variations might contribute to the differences.

scholarly journals Genetic background contributions to the disproportion of vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women of certain ethnicities in populations of the United States.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Suzuki ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Diana J Garretto ◽  
Carmen R. Isasi ◽  
Wellington V Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Pregnant Females

Abstract Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that plays critical roles in many biological functions of the body. Limited access to vitamin A-rich food or supplements severely affects tissue and blood levels of vitamin A. Therefore, low serum vitamin A and poverty levels are strongly associated in vitamin A deficiency (VAD) studies that have focused mainly on developing countries. The current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency in the United States is reported to be very low (< 1%). However, several studies, including ours, have suggested that people from certain ethnic groups still face a higher proportion of vitamin A deficiency. Here, we re-analyzed two different datasets of serum retinol levels of pregnant females to assess the VAD status differences between women of different ancestries. We found that pregnant females with non-Hispanic Black and with Latin American/Afro-Caribbean ancestry have strikingly high proportions of vitamin A deficiency. Moreover, we identified candidate genetic variants that associate with the disproportions between these different ancestries. Maternal vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and offspring later in life. Measuring serum retinol levels of pregnant women in the higher risk groups and provision of food interventions based on genetic information to improve the vitamin A status of at-risk women are needed. Our study strongly suggests that emergency actions need to be taken to reduce vitamin A deficiency in specific, at-risk ethnic groups.

Vitamin A Treatment of Measles

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1015
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Bulbar Conjunctiva ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
The World

In spite of the availability of effective vaccines, measles continues to be a public health problem throughout the world. In 1990, the Centers for Disease Control received more than 27 672 reports of measles in the United States. Complications were reported in one third of infected children younger than 5 years of age.1 Of the 89 measles-related deaths in 1990, 55% occurred in children younger than 5 years old. Several recent investigations have indicated that vitamin A treatment of children with measles in developing countries has been associated with reductions in morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) issued a joint statement recommending that vitamin A be administered to all children diagnosed with measles in communities where vitamin A deficiency (serum vitamin A &lt;10 µg/dL) is a recognized problem and where mortality related to measles is ≥1%. The recommended regimen is 100 000 IU by mouth at the time of diagnosis for infants younger than 12 months of age, and 200 000 IU for older children. In the presence of ophthalmologic signs of vitamin A deficiency, such as night blindness, Bitot's spots (grayish white deposits on the bulbar conjunctiva adjacent to the cornea) or xerophthalmia, the WHO recommends the dose be repeated in 24 hours and again 4 weeks later.2 Vitamin A is available in low-cost liquid formulations and is supplemented in infant formulas (2000 µ/L). RATIONALE FOR VITAMIN A Vitamin A is a necessary substrate for preserving epithelial cell integrity and in addition plays a role in immune modulation.1-3

scholarly journals Folic Acid Fortification and Neural Tube Defect Risk: Analysis of the Food Fortification Initiative Dataset

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela E. Murphy ◽  
Cara J. Westmark
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
National Level ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cereal Grains ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Folic Acid Fortification ◽  
Vitamin B9 ◽  
Cereal Grain

The United States implemented mandatory fortification of cereal grains with folic acid in 1998 to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) during pregnancy. The health benefits of folate (vitamin B9) are well documented; however, there are potential risks of exceeding the upper tolerable limit, particularly in vulnerable populations. We conducted a population-based analysis of the Food Fortification Initiative dataset to determine the strength of the evidence regarding reports of decreased NTDs at the national level in response to mandatory folic acid fortification of cereal grains. We found a very weak correlation between NTD prevalence and the level of folic acid fortification, irrespective of the cereal grain fortified (wheat, maize or rice). Stratification of the data based on socioeconomic status (SES) indicated a strong linear relationship between reduced NTDs and better SES. We conclude that national fortification with folic acid is not associated with a significant decrease in the prevalence of NTDs at the population level.

Micronutrient deficiency status among women of desert areas of western Rajasthan, India

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhu B Singh ◽  
Ranjana Fotedar ◽  
J Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
National Level ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Iodine Content ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiency ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Lactating Women

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of three micronutrient deficiency disorders (iron, vitamin A and iodine), nutritional deficiencies and their association with related factors.Material and MethodsUsing the three-stage sampling technique, a study was conducted in twenty-eight villages of Jodhpur district. A total of 1193 women, 384 pregnant, 400 lactating and 409 non-pregnant non-lactating controls (15 years and above, women who have not attained their family status) were examined for three micronutrient deficiency disorders, nutritional deficiencies, dietary and associated factors.ResultsMajority of the women were anaemic. Anaemia was higher among pregnant and lactating women (80·7 %). Severe anaemia was three-fold higher among pregnant and lactating women in comparison to controls (4·1 %). Vitamin A deficiency was observed to be higher among pregnant women (8·8 %). A high proportion of women (80·8 %) consumed salt, having inadequate iodine content. Median urinary iodine values were less in pregnant and lactating women than the WHO cut-off points. Consumption of pulses and legumes was low besides leafy vegetables. Average intake of nutrients showed deficiency of protein and energy, iron and folic acid and vitamin A deficiency. Anaemia and iodine deficiency disorder were found to be inversely proportional to education and income.ConclusionsThe proportion of anaemia in this study was higher in comparison to national-level studies besides the low consumption of normal iodised salt. Only 19 % of salt samples had adequate iodine content, which calls for caution. In addition to iodisation of salt, the study suggests the development of nutritional packages utilising local dietary aspects.

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