NUSCTX 10 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Micronutrient Deficiency, B Vitamins, Nyctalopia
26 Feb 2015
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Document Summary
Essential organic substances: water-soluble vitamin b complex and c, fat-soluble vitamins a, d, e, k. Essential metals: calcium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, zinc. Micronutrient deficiencies: in 2012, an estimated 2 billion people get enough calories but inadequate micronutrients. Enough staple foods (e. g. maize, wheat, cassava, rice) Iron: one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies. Main cause of anemia, condition in which the blood contains low levels of red blood cells: two billion people worldwide are estimated to suffer from anemia. September 30, 2014: ~50% of all anemia can be attributed to iron deficiency, causes fatigue, reduces work capacity, weakens immune system, severe anemia heightens risk of women dying in childbirth, impairs children"s physical growth, mental development, learning capability. Vitamin a: night blindness, lack of tear production can lead to corneal scarring, blindness (xeropthalmia, deficiency is leading cause of preventable blindness in children.
