Microelements - Macro Consequences..

Microelements are essential for full-fledged functioning of an adult and sound growth and development of a child. Iron, iodine, folic acid, calcium etc. along with vitamins A, B1, B2, B12 and C are the most essential nutrients for our organism. Deficiency in these nutrients in a human organism is called "hidden hunger". For example, a person consumes sufficient quantities of food, but due to its low micronutrient and vitamin content his organism does not receive essential nutrients in full. This situation adversely affects human health and even nation`s wellbeing. Frequently general public sees only the top of the "Hidden hunger" problem such as iron-deficiency anemia, iodinedeficiency disorders (goiter) and Vitamin A deficiency. However, apart from the fact that these diseases affect national health they have far-reaching socio-economic consequences and affect intelligence, working capacity and efficiency of manpower, public health expenditures and economic growth of the country. Every year Uzbekistan loses about 1.2% of its GDP (over 140 billion soums) because of iodine and iron deficiencies*. Is it not the high time for all of us to view the problem from the economic perspective?