Got Zinc?
March 25, 2004
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Up to one in five people worldwide lack sufficient zinc in their diet, while an estimated one-third live in countries considered at high risk of zinc deficiency, reports the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group.
The research shows zinc deficiency is linked to child dwarfism, diarrhea and pneumonia, which are among the most common causes of child mortality in developing countries. Researchers note these dangers have been underestimated in the past.
The report shows interventions to improve zinc intake promise to be a relatively low-cost means of improving health and life expectancy among children in poor countries. Zinc supplementation resulted in a 25-percent decrease of diarrhea, a 40-percent reduction of acute lower respiratory infections, a 50-percent reduction in mortality, and significantly increased rates of linear growth and weight gain in children.
The researchers say the worldwide zinc deficiency can be cured with pharmacological supplements, a national program to fortify staple foods like flour, and public education on good dietary sources of zinc, such as meat, seafood, and whole grain cereals and legumes.
Cutberto Garza, M.D., the director of the UN University's Food and Nutrition Program, says, "It is hoped this document will serve to promote greater awareness among key public health decision makers of the importance of zinc nutrition and help governments, international agencies, and private organizations to ameliorate or, ideally, prevent health problems related to inadequate zinc intake."
SOURCE: UN Standing Committee on Nutrition, March 23, 2004