Results of field and laboratory studies provide convincing evidence that micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the mortality and morbidity of infectious diseases. Despite encouraging results in large trials, understanding the mechanisms by which micronutrients contribute to the outcome of the encounter between an individual and an infectious agent requires additional hypothesis-driven resear...

Psychosis is difficult to treat effectively with conventional pharmaceuticals, many of which have adverse long-term health consequences. In contrast, there are promising reports from several research groups of micronutrient treatment (vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids) of mood, anxiety and psychosis symptoms using a complex formula that appears to be safe and tolerable. ...

Micronutrient deficiencies contribute to many age-related disorders. One group at particular risk of micronutrient deficiencies is the elderly. Many elderly, such as the frail and those living in institutions, rely on ready meals of variable, often poor, nutritional quality for a significant part of their daily nutritional needs. New policies are needed to ensure that micronutrients (vitamins a...

Anthropologic research was conducted among pregnant and lactating women in rural Tanzania in conjunction with clinical trials of a micronutrient-fortified beverage. Use of the beverage was examined through interviews and ethnographic observation in clinics and at home. Women liked the taste of the beverage, considered it beneficial to their health, preferred it to pills or injections, and most ...

Micronutrients are known to play an important role in the metabolism and physiological activities of the human body. Unfortunately, over three billion people in the world are malnourished. The development of crops with enhanced mineral concentration is one of the most sustainable and cost effective approaches for alleviating micronutrient malnutrition. This review focuses on the progress made i...

Clinical Inquiries provides answers to questions submitted by practicing family physicians to the Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN). Members of the network select questions based on their relevance to family medicine. Answers are drawn from an approved set of evidence-based resources and undergo peer review. The strength of recommendations and the level of evidence for individual studi...

A review is given of the research on micronutricnts in the South African sugar industry, with special reference to zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). The results of a number of field experiments are summarised and the rncasured responses related to tlie micronutrient content of third leaf samples. The main outcomes of a recent survey of the micronutrient status of 2 000 fields throughout ...

Older adults are becoming a significant percentage of the world's population. A multitude of factors, from the normal aging process to the progression of chronic disease, influence the nutrition needs of this very diverse group of people. Appropriate micronutrient intake is of particular importance but is often suboptimal. Here we review the available data regarding micronutrient needs and the ...

This report presents the available evidence on the magnitude of micronutrient deficiencies in countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR), identifies nutrient inadequacies per capita per day based on 1999 Food Balance Sheet data and the steps required to alleviate these inadequacies through micronutrient fortification of food. Suitable food vehicles for fortification within each country are a...