Background

Malnutrition is a condition resulting of inappropriate intakes of nutrients. It is different of under-nutrition because people who are suffering of malnutrition are most of the time matching their energetic needs.
Humans are not able to produce themselves all the compounds they need to function properly using only a source of energy like glucose. We need to rely on other organisms like plants or bacteria to produce vitamins, to extract minerals from water and from the ground, to turn glucose and nitrogen into amino-acids that are essential to our well being
There is an estimated number of 850 millions of undernourished people in the world and an additional 1 billion people are malnourished.

Efforts to fight malnutrition have been shown to be one of the most efficient development aid for developing countries. Along with the general weakness and tiredness, the lack of certain micro-nutrients is responsible of a wide variety of medical and mental health conditions that are very often life-threatening.

A Tour of the Deficiencies and Deficiencies Related Disorders around the world

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD)

is, along with iron, iodine and zinc deficiencies, one of the most prevalent and severe micronutrient deficiencies in the world.
People whose diets are mostly based on starchy foods like rice are especially at risk of VAD, as these foods do not contain retinol (vitamin A) or provitamin A (carotenoids).
Symptoms of VAD include xerophthalmia (extreme dryness of the eyes), night blindness, retinal degeneration, cancer, impaired immune response, birth defects and death.
13.8 million children have some degree of vision loss related to VAD. It is estimated that 250,000,000 preschool children have a VAD. Of those 250 million, 500,000 become blind every year. Half of the children who become blind die within 12 months.




(Highest prevalence of vitamin A deficiency are reported in regions of Africa and South-East Asia.)



In India an estimated 2 million people die every year because of VAD related diseases. 1.9 million are disabled for the rest of their lifes. The states with the lower incomes are the most affected.
bibliography:
Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of Golden Rice Alexander J. Stein1 , H.P.S. Sachdev2 & Matin Qaim October 2006

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the most common deficiency in the world. Disability adjusted life year (DALY)
WHO estimates of iron deficiency anemia rates in 2002( yellow is least, red is highest.)


The main cause of iron deficiency is inadequate intake. Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, weakness, pica, anemia and thrombocytosis.
A simple way to avoid iron deficiency-related disorders is to eat iron containing food like red meat, poultry and insects.There are also non-heme sources of iron like lentils, beans and tofu, but iron from these sources have reduced bioavailabilities.

Heme Iron
Phytic acid is a saturated cyclic acid which has a strong affinity for important minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. Bound minerals form an insoluble precipitate that is far less absorbed in the intestines. It is a major issue for people whose diet is mainly based on foods that contains phytic acid. Rice contains phytic acid and is consumed as a staple food in India and in east Asia, worsening the deficiencies status in those countries.

Phytic Acid

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) Deficiency or Hypocobalaminemia

Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is a complex molecule that can only be produced by bacteria. All animals have to get their B12 from microorganismes by various way. Humans usually get their B12 from meat, fish, eggs and dairy product. Vegetarian and especially vegan populations are at risk of deficiency.
Because of various cultural and socio-economic factors a majority of indians are following a vegetarian diet.

B12 is crucial for brain and nervous system development and maintenance. Lack of it can cause severe and irreversible damages to the brain and nervous system. Symptoms are including depression, psychosis, lethargy and extreme weakness.

In India, studies are showing that an alarming proportion of 75% of people have metabolic signs of b12 deficiency (hyperhomocysteinemia and methylmalonic acidemia). Also 50% of pregnant Indian women have low levels of plasmatic b12 which can lead to birth defects. 80% of preschool children are also deficient.




Bibliography Samuel T.M.a, f · Duggan C.b, d · Thomas T.a · Bosch R.c · Rajendran R.a · Virtanen S.M.e, f · Srinivasan K.a · Kurpad A.V.a