Scientific studies on the relationship between micronutrient supplements & fortification and combating malnutrition in developing countries:
One swallow does not make a summer. A famous Dutch saying that could not be any more obvious. Just because one single scientific study about a certain topic makes certain claims, it does not necessarily mean it is true. On the other hand, a review article (a collection of scientific studies on a certain topic) of randomized, placebo-controlled double blind clinical trials (RCTs) will answer the following question:
"Do taking dietary supplements make sense?" Yes for a positive conclusion and no for a negative conclusion.
One swallow does not make a summer. A famous Dutch saying that could not be any more obvious. Just because one single scientific study about a certain topic makes certain claims, it does not necessarily mean it is true. On the other hand, a review article (a collection of scientific studies on a certain topic) of cohort studies or case-control studies will answer the following question:
"Should I change my diet?".
- 25(OH)D concentration increases by 0.7 nmol/L for every 100 IU vitamin D in children
- 25(OH)D concentration increases by 2 nmol/L for every 100 IU vitamin D in adult
- 10 μg/d vitamin D food fortification increases vitamin D levels in populations
- Serum selenium is lower in tuberculosis patients
- Micronutrient supplementation reduces malnutrition in children under-five in low- and middle-income countries
- Point-of-use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders containing iron gives a small increase in haemoglobin concentration in preschool children
- Large-scale food fortification reduces goiter, anemia and neural tube defects in low- and middle-income countries
- Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements reduce child malnutrition
- Childhood nutritional supplementation with ≥5 nutrients improves cognitive development of children in developing countries
- Multiple micronutrients and protein interventions delivered after 24 months of age have a positive effect on linear growth
- Multiple-micronutrient supplementation improves birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in low- and middle-income countries
- Multiple micronutrient supplementation generates positive health outcomes for both infants and pregnant women
- Fortification of staple foods with zinc does not reduce risk of stunting
- Folic acid fortification lowers the prevalence of neural tube defects
- Low vitamin D level increases wasting among children
- 100 IU vitamin D/d increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with 1.0 nmol/L in children 2-18 y of age
- Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in China
- Vitamin A supplementation reduces risk of anemia
- Mortality effects of vitamin A supplementation in children 5 years do not vary by dosing frequency, total dose, or duration
- Vitamin A supplementation is associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in morbidity and mortality in children aged six months to five years
- Double-fortified salt containing iron and iodine decreases risk of anemia in low- and middle-income populations
- Iron fortification increases haemoglobin concentration during pregnancy
- Iron-fortified flour is an effective public health strategy that improves iron status of populations worldwide
- NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce has a positive effect on anemia control and prevention in the Chinese population
- Micronutrient powders containing iron reduces anaemia and iron deficiency in preschool- and school-age children
- Micronutrient fortified condiments reduce anemia in children and adults due to micronutrient deficiencies
- Fortified milk reduces risk of anaemia
- Insufficient evidence to confirm or refute the effect of zinc supplementation in children with measles