News
Omega-3 fatty acid may improve mental function
3 March 2010
Increased intakes of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenonic acid may improve cognitive functions in middle age people, according to a new study.
04 July 2012
New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has reported that the mandatory fortification of iodized salt in bread has significantly reduced the number of iodine deficient children.
In the study, a sample of 530 breads was collected over three weeks from four New Zealand regions and categorized into eight bread groups – white, fiber white, whole meal, multigrain, rye, fruited, organic and crumpets. The sodium and iodine content of each group was then measured. The dietary intake of iodine in children aged 5-14 was also estimated. The study results showed that the percentage of children estimated to have inadequate iodine intakes has dropped from 30 to 4% due to iodine fortification. Only 1% of children consumed excessive levels of iodine. Across New Zealand’s food industry, bread was identified to be the highest iodine contributor, followed by milk and dairy products, grains and pasta, then meats and eggs.
The researchers concluded that the children’s intake of iodine has significantly improved since a mandatory bread fortification policy was introduced across New Zealand and Australia in 2009. The results indicate that the ministry has achieved its goal of ensuring that more than 70% of school-aged children reach the recom-mended iodine intake. Since the policy was introduced, bakers across both countries have been using iodized salt in all but organic and unleavened breads. The aim of the policy was to improve the mild to moderate iodine deficiency levels that had been identified in the population.
Researchers of a recent European study have called for a common European Union policy on use of iodized salt in the food industry, after finding that 44% of Europeans are deficient in the vitamin (1). The World Health Organization said iodine deficiency is the world’s single greatest cause of preventable brain damage and mental impairment.
3 March 2010
Increased intakes of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenonic acid may improve cognitive functions in middle age people, according to a new study.
15 November 2013
The term “hidden hunger” refers to a chronic lack of vitamins and minerals which is not immediately apparent and can exist for a long time before clinical signs of malnutrition become obvious.
1 June 2010
“As part of a randomized, placebo-controlled study, B-vitamins (25 mg vitamin B6, 2.5 mg vitamin B9 plus 1 mg vitamin B12 daily) were administered to 238 diabetics to explore whether these vitamins slow the progression of damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) and prevent cardiovascular diseases (1).