Lancet Study Reveals India's Alarming Micronutrient Deficiency

A recent study published in the Lancet highlights a concerning trend in India, where people of all age groups are not consuming enough essential micronutrients like iron, calcium, and folate, crucial for maintaining overall health.

Key Points

Global Micronutrient Deficiency Data: The study provides the first global estimates of insufficient consumption of 15 key micronutrients across 185 countries, based on diets without supplements.
Role of Iron, Calcium, and Folate: Iron is essential for oxygen transport and energy production, calcium supports bone health and cellular function, while folate is crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division.
Iron-Rich Food Sources: Heme iron is found in animal products like red meat, poultry, seafood, and organ meats. Non-heme iron sources include legumes, dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fortified foods.
Calcium-Rich Food Sources: Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich in calcium. Non-dairy sources include fortified soy products, dark leafy greens, almonds, and fortified plant-based milk.
Folate-Rich Food Sources: Dark leafy greens, asparagus, and broccoli are excellent vegetable sources of folate. Citrus fruits and avocados provide folate from fruits, while legumes like lentils and chickpeas are also high in folate.