By their very name, micronutrients are
vitamins and minerals that are needed only in very small amounts, but their
impact on our health is huge.
Micronutrients like iron, zinc, Vitamin
A, and many others are responsible for the vital functioning of our body’s
systems, from physical growth and vision, to brain vigor and increased immunity.
When the body fails to receive the small quantities of micronutrients that it
needs, serious health problems can result in a condition widely regarded as micronutrient
deficiency or “hidden hunger”.
The nutritional makeup of the
Philippines continues to be characterized by the severity of micronutrient
deficiency. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute- Department
of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), 70-90 percent of Filipinos lack iron and
Vitamin A in their usual diet.
Two out of ten schoolchildren suffer
from iron deficiency anemia, and the incident rises with age. Following closely
are those lacking adequate amounts of Vitamin A in their diet. One out of ten from the same group is Vitamin
A deficient.
The same study also shows that two out of
ten children are zinc deficient. Zinc is a trace mineral that plays a role in body
metabolism, reproductive health, immune function, and more than 200 important chemical
reactions in the body.
Inadequate intake of these three
important micronutrients may lead to several nutritional problems, including stunting,
fatigue, poor concentration, lack of focus and other signs of impaired physical
and cognitive development. These may be reflected among schoolchildren who suffer
from poor mental and physical performance and frequent absenteeism as a result
of impaired immunity. It is also important to have plenty of Vitamin C, which
is a powerful antioxidant that boosts immunity, prevents cardiovascular
disease, and contributes to healthy skin, among many other benefits.
“Making the right food choices is one of
the ways to address the problems of micronutrient deficiency,” said Dr. Imelda
Agdeppa, Assistant Scientist of FNRI-DOST. “Unfortunately, the inaccessibility
of food and money in the majority of Filipino households puts many families at
a high risk of getting sick. The good news is there are many products in the
market that are affordable and fortified with these micronutrients, and many
families are already benefiting from these.”
Experts from FNRI recommend that when
there is an inadequate intake of these nutrients, the consumption of foods that
are fortified particularly with the three
micronutrients primarily lacking in the Filipino diet—Vitamin A, Iron, and Zinc—is
encouraged so as to address nutrient gap.
In response to this dietary concern,
Nestlé Philippines is intensifying its campaign to promote nutritious and
affordable sources of important nutrients especially needed by children, such
as BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink. It is fortified with tibay resistensya nutrients like Iron, Zinc, and Vitamin C plus Calcium
that kids need for proper growth and to perform well in school.
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