Nutrients removed from the soil decide the nutritional security of a nation: the case of iron and zinc in India

Ganeshamurthy, A.N. and Kalaivanan, D. and Manjunath, B.L. (2017) Nutrients removed from the soil decide the nutritional security of a nation: the case of iron and zinc in India. Curent Science, 113 (6). pp. 1167-1173.

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Abstract

National iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) balance were computed using theoretical mean daily per capita dietary Fe and Zn requirement and composition of Fe and Zn in foods in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries sectors. The analyses imply a satisfactory situation that the intake of Fe and Zn through food sources by the Indian population is adequate. Despite sufficient availability of Fe and Zn through food, there is widespread Zn and Fe deficiency in our population. Ours is a vegetarian-dominant society. The phytate content of our foods is relatively high as the phytate content of vegetarian diets is high. This may be the main cause of the low absorption of Zn and Fe from the foods we eat. A sector-wise contribution indicated a major share of the agriculture sector, followed by the animal husbandry sector. Surprisingly, horticulture sector contributed a small portion (9.1% Zn and 12.9% Fe). The fisheries sector contributed the least. Given the multiple sources of uncertainty in following this method, caution must be exercised in interpreting the estimated figures for prevalence. Since our food sources are supplying enough Fe and Zn, our research efforts should therefore be diverted towards bioavailability rather than bio-fortification.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Bioavailability, food sources, iron, micronutrient deficiency, vegetarian diet, zinc
Author Affiliation: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Ivar Kandapura, Bengaluru 560 089, India
Subjects: Food Security/Food Production/Nutrition
Divisions: General
Depositing User: Mr T L Gautham
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2018 04:47
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2018 04:47
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/15608

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