Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9600
ISSN: 2155-9600
Rajiva Raman
Banaras Hindu University, India
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
Though folate and iron supplementation to pregnant mothers is practiced since 1970s in India, frequency of anemia in mothers as well as population at large has not declined. Recently, we showed vitamin B12 deficiency to be an important cause of anemia. Survey of the Indian populations by different workers in different regions, ethnicities and social strata has revealed nearly 50% population to be vitamin B12 deficient. Folate deficiency occurs in about 10% people. SNP C677T in the gene MTHFR is a genetic risk factor which exacerbates the effect of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. As a result, a quarter of the population studied by us is hyperhomocysteinemic. We demonstrate that together they act as a strong risk factor for several multifactorial, developmental and even chromosomal disorders. A vast section of Indian population is vegetarian: While around 30% are strictly so, nearly as many consume non-vegetarian meal only rarely. Additionally, a proportion of the population is under or malnourished due to lack of a balance diet. Prevalence of amoebic and other infections that adversely affect the gut flora and administration of folates to vitamin B12 deficient individuals, all these contribute to vitamin B12 deficiency and disease proneness. While we provide evidence to this state of affairs, an argument is made for incorporation of vitamin B12 as an essential nutrient supplement in Indian population for a healthier society.
Email: rajiva.raman@gmail.com