Beware! Hyderabadis your vitamin levels low
Syed Akbar | TNN | Mar 23, 2019, 13:29 IST
(Representative image) HYDERABAD: Hyderabadis suffer from a severe deficiency of vitamins essential to keep the body going. Research by Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has revealed that many in the city are outwardly healthy but subclinically they are not. Bad diet has made them deficient in vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B6, B12 and folate.
The NIN study was published in the internationally acclaimed journal “Nutrition”. This is the first time in India that researchers have explored the blood levels of major vitamins along with the dietary intakes of apparently healthy urban adults. The study focused on people in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The NIN researchers also explored the homocysteine (a substance present in blood) levels, which amplify the chances of non-communicable illnesses such as heart disease. This population constituting the primary workforce of the nation, which rarely gets the vitamin levels screened, was found to be the silent victim of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies and high dietary inadequacies.
With respect to their levels in the blood, the deficiencies of vitamins B2 (50%), B6 (46%), B12 (46%), folate (32%) and vitamin D (29%) were strikingly high. In terms of dietary intakes, nutrient inadequacy was found in the diets of 72% of the study population. Additionally, high homocysteine levels were prevalent in 52% of the study population.
A NIN release said that despite the vital physiologic significance of all the vitamins, only a few vitamins such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D have received considerable attention globally. But the deficiency of other vitamins, either independently or in combination, results in deleterious consequences.
‘Mild deficiencies can have adverse effects’
Vitamin deficiencies are ubiquitous, yet remain clinically undetectable unless severe. A mild form of vitamin deficiency can result in adverse consequences,” said researchers.
“The study highlighted the widespread prevalence of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies and dietary inadequacies, with women being particularly at higher risk,” the NIN researchers said.
High homocysteine levels observed among the urban adults were found to be higher in men.
Interestingly, a very high burden of B2 and B6 deficiencies was noticed in addition to the commonly reported vitamin deficiencies such as folate and vitamins B12, D.
NIN scientists recommended the need to screen the vitamin levels regularly.
The NIN study was published in the internationally acclaimed journal “Nutrition”. This is the first time in India that researchers have explored the blood levels of major vitamins along with the dietary intakes of apparently healthy urban adults. The study focused on people in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The NIN researchers also explored the homocysteine (a substance present in blood) levels, which amplify the chances of non-communicable illnesses such as heart disease. This population constituting the primary workforce of the nation, which rarely gets the vitamin levels screened, was found to be the silent victim of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies and high dietary inadequacies.
With respect to their levels in the blood, the deficiencies of vitamins B2 (50%), B6 (46%), B12 (46%), folate (32%) and vitamin D (29%) were strikingly high. In terms of dietary intakes, nutrient inadequacy was found in the diets of 72% of the study population. Additionally, high homocysteine levels were prevalent in 52% of the study population.
A NIN release said that despite the vital physiologic significance of all the vitamins, only a few vitamins such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D have received considerable attention globally. But the deficiency of other vitamins, either independently or in combination, results in deleterious consequences.
‘Mild deficiencies can have adverse effects’
Vitamin deficiencies are ubiquitous, yet remain clinically undetectable unless severe. A mild form of vitamin deficiency can result in adverse consequences,” said researchers.
“The study highlighted the widespread prevalence of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies and dietary inadequacies, with women being particularly at higher risk,” the NIN researchers said.
High homocysteine levels observed among the urban adults were found to be higher in men.
Interestingly, a very high burden of B2 and B6 deficiencies was noticed in addition to the commonly reported vitamin deficiencies such as folate and vitamins B12, D.
NIN scientists recommended the need to screen the vitamin levels regularly.
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