Demystifying the micronutrient deficiency burden in India

MiND or hidden hunger

MiNDs are also termed as ‘Hidden Hunger’, as subnormal levels of certain vitamins and minerals can increase general morbidity and mortality without any obvious clinical symptoms or signs to suggest deficiency.4 In contrast to macronutrients, micronutrients are required only in small quantities, but are essential for physical and mental functioning as even mild to moderate MiNDs can affect a person’s well-being and mental functioning.3, 4, 5 Unlike energy-protein undernourishment, health impacts of MiND are not always acutely visible; thus termed ‘hidden hunger’.3

According to a nationwide survey of HCPs, severe MiNDs are particularly reported within a few days in hospitalized patients (while refusing food along with the illness and medications) mainly after gastrointestinal surgeries which contribute heavily to overall disease outcomes. However, MiND is not necessarily reported only in a disease state, but is prevalent and is bound to have a negative impact on an apparently healthy individual as well. All the health care professionals (HCPs) agreed that it is clinically challenging to identify or screen MiNDs due to the non-specific symptoms observed in healthy adults which has further led to its more alarming rise. Around 90% HCPs strongly agreed that MiNDs further increase the risk of other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, asthma, depression, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine disorders, etc. in healthy adults.

Prevalence of MiND in India

More than two billion people suffer from MiND globally, with nearly half living in India.3 Current risk of ‘hidden hunger’ is severe in India due to serious deficiency risks across an array of essential micronutrients. Results suggest a widespread (> 80% total Indian population) risk of deficiencies in calcium, vitamin A, B12, and folate, with more localized deficiencies in iron, zinc, and vitamin B6.3 The prevalence of serum zinc deficiency in India is > 20%, which indicates a public health significance. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also reports that lower levels of plasma magnesium and zinc and reduced zinc/copper ratio are associated with coronary artery disease in Indians. A survey conducted by National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) showed milder grades of vitamin A deficiency causing night blindness and Bitot’s spots. Despite sunlight exposure throughout the year, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in different population groups including adults has been demonstrated by several Indian studies. Vitamin D deficiency and low intake of calcium are responsible for the high prevalence of osteoporosis particularly in Indian women.6 The Indian females also have high MiNDs due to less consumption of nutrients than males in their diet (p < 0.001).7 A community-based cross-sectional study showed a significantly lower intake of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B12, zinc, folate, and iron in Indian women than men.8 Another cross-sectional Indian survey reported a large percentage of pregnant women had less than 50% of the recommended intakes of iron, calcium, and folic acid (81%, 77%, and 96%, respectively).9 According to the HCPs, the micronutrient diet intake of the urban Indian population is below than recommended dietary allowance (RDA). MiND is highly prevalent in >62% of urban and semi-urban adults due to wrong eating habits, inadequate diet, and prevalence of anemia leading to the inadequacy of multiple micronutrients.

Causes of MiND

Micronutrient intakes vary significantly between diet inadequacy, Indian dietary patterns, losses due to food processing/cooking, and food impurities (Table 1).10, 11, 12 Insufficient micronutrient intakes, can be due to several reasons such as the changing Indian dietary patterns prompted by a host of factors including agricultural, economic, lifestyle, health and nutrition transitions, increased micronutrient requirements not met during pregnancy and lactation, diseases, advancing age, infections, or surgery.6 Even ‘healthy’ individuals are at risk of MiND due to sedentary behavior, and lifestyle-related factors. In short, a bidirectional relationship exists among nutrition, infection, and immunity as changes in one component consequently affect the others.10, 11, 12

More than 90% HCPs strongly agreed that increased micronutrient requirements are not met during pregnancy and lactation, in various diseases, lifestyle-related stress, nutrient-nutrient interactions, infections, or post-surgery. Malabsorption syndrome, vitamin B12 hypovitaminosis, and chronic use of medications/antibiotics adversely affect the gut microbiota and can consequently cause MiND. They also conceded that insufficient intake due to weight-reducing diets, imbalanced diet, and wrong dietary/cooking/eating habits are strong contributing factors to MiND in urban Indians.

Consequences of MiNDacross the life span

Inadequate intake of micronutrients at any stage of life is a vicious cycle affecting various functions within the immune system, manifesting in decreased resistance to infections, and an increase in severity of symptoms (Figure 1).13

Figure 1

Consequences of micronutrient inadequacies across the age groups.

Of greatest concern is the fact that the vicious cycle of MiNDs is associated with adverse consequences throughout an individual’s life span perpetuating across the generations, with far-reaching consequences on the future population.13

Clinical outcomes of MiND

Before clinical symptoms of deficiency (lack of energy and increased vulnerability to infections) appear, MiNDs develop progressively through several sub-clinical stages (Figure 1).11, 14

Figure 2

Sub-clinical stages of mind

Majority of the HCPs agreed that micronutrients have a strong impact at molecular and cellular levels and manifestations of fatigue and reduced immunity may occur when supplies of these micronutrients are inadequate. When the patient develops clinical signs, it is likely that MiND is already being established as the deficiencies start three to six months prior. For instance, dementia can be the first clinical sign of iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological disorders, folic acid deficiency can lead to hematological disorders, and vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness, bone pain, and fatigue.15

Inadequacy of daily diet to fulfill RDA of micronutrients

The ICMR advocates that RDAs are daily dietary nutrient intake levels that would be sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.6 However, reports of the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau are alarming as several micronutrient intakes of 70% Indian population are less than 50% of the RDA. Agrawal et al. evaluated 502 Indian urban OPD patients visiting for their routine follow-ups to assess the level of micro and macronutrient consumption among the study participants and their comparison with the current RDA recommendation. The study outcomes showed that among micronutrients, consumption of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B12 are below RDA guidelines in the Indian population.7 The ICMR also reports that iron deficiency in the diet is the main cause of anemia in all age groups and that the median risk of inadequate intake of iron is in the range of 48%-78%.6 Based on the health survey responses of 220 HCPs in urban India (Mar-Apr 2021), nearly 85% of Indian doctors (GPs, ENTs, Internal Medicine experts), and 93% of Indian nutritionists also believe that only 70% (or even lower) of our micronutrient requirements are fulfilled by our daily Indian diet in urban adults aged 25-45 years.16 Majority of the HCPs agreed that among micronutrients, consumption of calcium, iron, folic acid, zinc, vitamin D3, and B12 are below RDA guidelines in the Indian population. Among MiNDs, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and riboflavin deficiency are highly prevalent in the Indian population.

Important micronutrients to enhance immunity

Scientific evidence suggests that zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D are few of the most important micronutrients to enhance immunity, thus influencing the risk and clinical course of viral respiratory infections (Table 2).17 Although, no single vitamin can work on its own for enhancing immunity; however multivitamins can definitely work in combination and in synergy for improving immunity by helping each other in multiple chain reactions, in the respiratory chain cycles, and in various stages of development of immunity.17

An adequate micronutrient intake is essential to aid recovery from infection, which may be difficult because food intake may decrease during illness, and antibiotic use can also deplete certain micronutrients. An immune response is likely to be impaired when micronutrient levels are insufficient. Supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MMN) may have significant benefits on immune cells and responses.18 To achieve optimal micronutrient intake for immune defenses through a well-balanced and diverse diet alone is difficult, especially for micronutrients such as vitamins C and D, which need to be taken in doses higher than the RDA to be immune effective.19

Plugging the daily gap of MiND with multivitamin/mineral supplements

Considering the active role of micronutrients in immunity, there is a rationale for micronutrient supplementation to restore concentrations to recommended levels, especially after an infection, and during the recovery, phase to support immune function and its maintenance.17 Vitamin A supplementation is correlated with reducing infection-related morbidity and mortality associated with vitamin A deficiency.17 WHO/UNICEF recommend zinc supplementation during diarrheal infection and for the treatment of severe malnutrition.6 A systematic review and meta-analysis study has shown a borderline significant preventive effect of micronutrient supplementation (vitamin A, B12, C, D, iron, and zinc) against the incidence of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The prevention of viral RTIs occurs through micronutrient supplementation due to the recognized role of micronutrients in immune function.20 For instance, supplementation with zinc was found to lower the frequency and severity of infections like diarrhea and pneumonia and reduce mortality. On the other hand, attaining peak bone densities is essential to prevent osteoporotic fractures in later life. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation have demonstrated beneficial effects by attaining peak bone densities during the growth phase and in adults for preventing osteoporosis.6 More than 90% HCPs agreed that micronutrient supplementation can be used as a supportive therapy, especially during the recovery phase after an infection or surgery. On the other hand, few HCPs clarified that it is a misconception that only thin and fragile people who are malnourished are nutritionally deficient. In fact, obese patients have more nutritional deficiencies. For instance, vitamin D deficiency is one of the main causative factors of obesity. In short, obese people also require micronutrient supplementation. Moreover, the elderly due to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) absorption issues, and patients with diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or cardiovascular diseases are also micronutrient deficient and in need of micronutrient supplementation. A recent study demonstrated that supplementation of folic acid alone or in combination with vitamin B12 to Indian patients with vascular disease had reduced the observed elevated homocysteine levels. Further, chronic and severe forms of folate deficiency leading to abnormal hemopoiesis and megaloblastic anemia (MBA), promptly responds to folate supplementation. Compelling evidence suggests that vitamin C supplementation decreases the risk of cardiovascular accidents and asthma, prevention of cataracts, and its impact on the common cold.6

Impact of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on immunity/energy/cognition

Considering the importance of micronutrients in immunity, there is a rationale for micronutrient supplementation to restore concentrations to recommended levels, especially after an infection, and to support immune function and maintenance (Table 3).17

Clinical data suggest that vitamin C supplementation reduced the episodes of upper RTIs in swimmers, lowers the risk of pneumonia, and decreases the duration and symptoms of cold. Three clinical studies showed a > 80% lower incidence of pneumonia in the vitamin C groups, supporting the potential role of vitamin C in reducing the risk of pneumonia, particularly in individuals with low plasma vitamin C levels. Furthermore, regarding the effect of vitamin C in treating pneumonia, in older patients, lower mortality and reduced severity of disease were found in the vitamin C group, particularly in the most ill patients.17 On the other hand, vitamin D supplementation showed a significant beneficial effect in decreasing the risk of experiencing at least one acute RTI by exhibiting protective effects.21 It has been reported during influenza A infection that interferon-β (IFN- β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and IL-6 in the lungs were reduced in response to treatment with vitamin D. On the other hand, during respiratory syncytial virus infection, the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) inhibitor was induced in response to treatment with vitamin D.17 Moreover, zinc supplementation reduced the duration and incidence of symptoms in common cold and RTIs. Zinc supplementation was also effective in decreasing oxidative stress and was found to have direct antiviral effects. Zinc supplementation for more than three months also significantly reduced the frequency and severity of diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.6, 22

A prospective study showed significant improvement in superoxide dismutase (SOD) action and a significant decrease in fatigue (p= 0.0009), sleep disorders (p = 0.008), autonomic nervous system symptoms (p = 0.018), frequency and intensity of headaches (p = 0.0001) with a multivitamin/mineral supplement treatment for two months. Thus, multivitamin/mineral supplementation can safely diminish fatigue symptoms by improving antioxidant status.23 Another placebo-controlled, double-blind, and randomized study showed significant attenuation of increased ratings of physical tiredness on day 62 assessments (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in levels of homocysteine (p = 0.006). There was also an increased accuracy across the entire multi-tasking framework and performing specific tasks (Mathematical Processing, Stroop Color-Word). Thus, there was a significant improvement in physical tiredness engendered by task performance and significant improvement in cognitive function following 62 days of treatment with multivitamin/mineral supplementation in females.24

Scientific data has proved that supplements with micronutrients reduced fatigue (vitamins B1 and D, iron), increased activity and feelings of being energetic (vitamin B1), increased muscle endurance (zinc), improved exercise tolerance (magnesium) and physical capacity/performance [coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)], and improved physical recovery (CoQ10). A positive association was noted between well-being and the feeling of being clearheaded and composed (vitamin B1) and on symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, including depression (vitamin D).25

The HCP consensus agreed that there is a rationale for prescribing micronutrient supplementation to fulfill micronutrient deficiencies in patients.

Impact of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on fulfilling MiNDs (as per RDA in daily diet)

Figure 3

Abbreviations: HCP, health care professional; MiND, micro nutrient deficiencies; RDA, recommended alloance.

HCP Urban survey impact of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on fulfilling Mind (as per RDA) in daily diet.

Based on the health survey responses of 220 HCPs in urban India (Mar-Apr 2021), 74% of Indian doctors/nutritionists are positively inclined to prescribe multivitamin/mineral supplements to fulfill micronutrient deficiencies (as per RDA) in daily Indian diet (Figure 3).16

Benefits of natural or herbal ingredients to boost immunity

Attacks of viruses and bacteria can be counteracted with an efficient immune system and thus, stimulation of the body’s defense mechanism against infections is an effective approach. Compelling evidence suggests that natural/herbal ingredients stimulate and help in maintaining a healthy immune system. Natural/herbal ingredients modulate immune functions by immunostimulation/immunoregulation for the control and prevention of infections. It is postulated that a stimulated immune system fights better against any impending infections and exerts indispensable effects on stress- and infection-induced immunosuppression. Based on in vitro and animal studies, natural/herbal ingredients (turmeric, Shatavari, giloy, amla, and tulsi) modulate immune functions by immunostimulation/immunoregulation for the control and prevention of infections (Table 4).26 The positive effect of tulsi was demonstrated by the increased immune response with increased natural killer (NK) and T-helper cells, less fatigue, reduced creatine kinase, improvement in cognitive flexibility, short-term memory, and attention and reductions of 31.6%–39% in overall stress-related symptoms in psychosomatic problems.31 Administration of turmeric is associated with a reduction in recurrent respiratory tract infections due to beneficial immune-modulatory effects.27 In vivo effects of Shatavari on effector T cell immunity suggest its use in respiratory infections where broader stimulation of T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 immunity supports its immunoadjuvant potential. 28 The broad-spectrum antibacterial pattern in amla extract showed superior effects against drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant infections.29 The immunomodulatory properties of giloy have demonstrated activity in a wide range of chronic inflammatory disorders such as diabetes and cognitive decline.30

The HCP consensus conceded that although natural/herbal ingredients have multiple pharmacological benefits, there’s a need for extensive clinical evaluation.