Micro-nutrients
* Beta Carotene is a precursor of Vitamin A
✓It is present in all green leafy vegetables and all yellow and orange coloured fruits like papaya and ripe mangoes and vegetables like pumpkin and carrots.
✓ Vitamin A is also present in foods of animal origin like butter , whole milk , curd , egg yolk .
✓ Intake of vitamin A rich foods from the adolescent age will enhance the reproductive health as vitamin A has a significant role in maintenance of the reproductive health
✓ Vitamin A status is very important during pregnancy and has effect on maternal and child health therefore it is very important to consume Vitamin A rich foods by pregnant and lactating women including all age groups
✓ Vitamin A is important for the improvement of defensive mechanism in the body by fighting against infections thus providing resistance in children.
✓ Beta carotene converts into Vitamin A and it is important for the health of the eyes of small children
✓ The deficiency of Vitamin A leads to nutritional blindness (night blindness - inability to see in dim light)
•Consequences of Vitamin A Deficiency:
✓ The early symptoms due to Vitamin A deficiency among children can be recognised by identifying 'bitot spots'
✓ In severe deficiency cases , serious damage occurs in cornea
✓ Corneal xerosis characterized by dryness and haziness can be completely reversed with Vitamin A administration.
✓ In untreated cases the lesions progress rapidly resulting in corneal ulceration, keratomalacia and irreversible blindness
Dietary Iron
✓Dietary iron is an essential micronutrient for the formation of haemoglobin (Hg) in blood red cells .
✓Hg plays an important role in transport of oxygen
✓ The term haem means 'iron' while 'globin' refers to 'protein'
✓ Iron rich foods are green leafy vegetables , animal meat
✓ During menstruation the iron loss will be around 15-30 mg/cycle , therefore the demand for iron in the girls is more
✓ During pregnancy the stored iron will be utilised for foetal growth and development
✓ Consumption of iron during pregnancy very essential to maintain the pregnant women health
✓ Women require 500-600 mg of additional iron for their entire pregnancy period
✓ During lactation period also women require more iron
✓ Intake of Iron folifer tablets which are supplied through primary Health Centres and Anganwadi Centres by the vulnerable population for 100 days to help to overcome severe anaemia
IODINE:
✓ Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are important micronutrient deficiency disorders of public health importance in India .
✓ Iodine is one of the essential Micro-nutrients required for normal growth and development of the human brain and body.
✓ Iodine is available in all food items and water
✓ Iodine occurs in food as iodide ions or as free inorganic iodine
✓ 1/3 of iodine is absorbed by thyroid gland
✓ The requirement of iodine ranges from 100-150 mg/day
✓ Iodine deficiency leads to hypothyroidism and goitre
Iodine deficiency in pregnancy leads to :
- Premature abortions
- Improper fetal growth
- Poor mental development
- Growth retardation (Cretinism)
Calcium:
✓ The skeleton accounts for at least 99% of body stores of calcium
✓ Requirement of calcium for the growth of the skeleton is derived from the diet
✓ Recommended calcium intake is possible by regular intake of several servings of dairy products, such as milk , dahi and cheese .
✓ Finger millet i.e. Ragi and drumstick leaves are good sources of calcium
✓ Physical activity in the morning and exposure to morning sun which provides
Vitamin D is essential for building and retain bone strength in the body .
✓ Dietary intake of calcium other vitamins or minerals, like vitamin D and phosphrous are needed for building up bones
During pregnancy women need extra amount of calcium for the healthy growth of foetus .
✍️ Agricos 🌾🌱Vaishnavi Nimkar
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