Over Half of World Lacks Essential Micronutrients, Says New Harvard Study

A groundbreaking study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara, and GAIN reveals that over half of the global population suffers from inadequate intake of vital micronutrients, including calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E, SciTech Daily reported today.

Published in The Lancet Global Health, this research is the first to provide global estimates for 15 critical micronutrients across 34 age-sex groups in nearly every country.

The study found alarming deficiencies, particularly in iodine (68%), vitamin E (67%), calcium (66%), and iron (65%). Women generally exhibited higher inadequacies in iodine, vitamin B12, and iron, while men were more deficient in calcium and several vitamins.

Researchers utilized data from the Global Dietary Database and dietary recall surveys to assess nutrient intake against recommended levels. They emphasized the urgent need for targeted dietary interventions to combat these deficiencies, which compromise health outcomes globally.