Supplements/supplementation developing countries

See also Folic Acids. Supplementation Dietary Supplements Role of Micronutrient Supplementation Developing Countries. 

See also Anemia Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Folic Acid. Iodine Physiology, Dietary Sources and Requirements Deficiency Disorders. Supplementation Role of Micronutrient Supplementation Developed Countries. Vitamin A Biochemistry and Physiological Role. Zinc Physiology Deficiency in Developing Countries, Intervention Studies. 

While it seems that there is little interference between iron and zinc metabolism under normal dietary situations, the possibility of interference must be taken into account when considering iron or zinc supplementation in developing countries. 

From a global view, plant protein sources (cereals, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits) have always been the primary source of dietary energy and protein for the majority of the world s population. In addition, in recent years, the use of vegetable protein products as sources of dietary protein, as supplements, and as extenders of more traditional animal protein sources has been increasing markedly in the developed countries. These factors are responsible for our interest in determining the effects of plant protein sources on the utilization of minerals in the human diet. 

The first type of cleansing agent, used by humankind for centuries, was soap. Although it has now been supplemented by various synthetic detergents in advanced countries for laundry and household use, it is still preferred for personal hygiene. In less-developed countries it is preferred for laundry use. 

Vitamin A deficiency is a major problem of children under five in developing countries, being the single most common preventable cause of blindness. Table 2.1 shows the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in different regions of the world. The increased susceptibility to infection and impairment of immune responses in vitamin A deficiency causes significant childhood mortality. A number of trials of vitamin A supplementation in areas of endemic deficiency show a 20% to 35% reduction in child mortality. 

A variety of studies have shown that 10% to 20% of the population of developed countries have marginal or inadequate stams, as assessed by erythrocyte transaminase activation coefficient (Section 9.5.36) or plasma pyridoxal phosphate (Section 9.5.1 Bender, 1989b). This may be sufficient to enhance the responsiveness of target tissues to steroid hormones (Section 9.3.3), and may be important in the induction and subsequent development of hormone-dependent cancer of the breast and prostate. Vitamin Be supplementation may be a useful adjunct to other therapy in these common cancers certainly, there is evidence that poor vitamin Be nutritional stams is associated with a poor prognosis in women with breast cancer. 

Although rarely encountered in developed countries, vitamin A deficiency remains a global public health problem. The current World Health Organization recommendation for vitamin A treatment in children 1 year of age and older who are at risk (see Table 17-3) is one 200,000 lU oral dose every 3 to 6 months for prophylaxis, and three such doses for treatment and prevention of xerophthalmia. Animal studies (rat model) have shown some improvement in corneal epithelial fimction with topical vitamin A supplementation. In human trials, evidence is contradictory regarding the beneficial role of topical vitamin A application. The apparent mechanism is reduction of inflammatory components. 

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