Food-Based Approaches For Combating Iron Deficiency by Brian Thompson

Iron deficiency is a serious and widespread public health problem. The scale and magnitude of the problem combined with the functional impact such deficiencies have on the quality of life, both physiologically and socioeconomically, require the urgent adoption of known and effective measures. However, the focus of development practitioners on their own narrow area of interest or expertise, be it health care or food, has prevented the realization of a truly comprehensive approach being taken to tackle this critical problem. This chapter is an effort to correct this imbalance and to place food-based approaches back into the center of the debate and to encourage their adoption on a broader scale as a matter of priority.

Open Source Link :  ftp://ftp.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/Kapitel_21_210207.pdf

Tamarindus Indica L. – A Review Of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry And Pharmacology by Emmy De Caluwe , Katerina Halamova , Patrick Van Damme

Tamarind or Tamarindus indica L. of the Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae, is an important food in the tropics. It is a multipurpose tree of which almost every part finds at least some use (Kumar & Bhattacharya, 2008), either nutritional or medicinal. Tamarind is indigenous to tropical Africa but it has been introduced and naturalized worldwide in over 50 countries. The major production areas are in the Asian countries India and Thailand, but also in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia.
In America, Mexico and Costa Rica are the biggest producers. Africa on the whole does not produce tamarind on a commercial scale, though it is widely used by the local people. Minor producing countries in Africa are Senegal, Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Link : https://doaj.org/article/dfac702a3b204ad0b74ee0b9fe9b849f

Highlights of Forty Years of Research on Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis in India by S P S Teotia , M Teotia and K P Singh

Endemic skeletal fluorosis is the state of chronic fluoride intoxication caused by high intakes of natural fluoride through drinking water. Intake through beverage is also harmful, depending on its contents of high fluoride water. Intake through foods is not of practical nor clinical importance, even in the endemic areas where the fluoride concentration in crops is relatively high.

Link : http://www.de-fluoride.net/4thproceedings/107-125.pdf

Nutrition : Annual Report 2003-2004

In the field of nutrition, major thrust of the Council was on providing technical support and guidance to strengthen the ongoing national nutrition programmes. Community surveys were undertaken besides studies on women’s nutritional status, diet related cancers, micronutrient deficiencies, non-communicable diseases due to nutritional deficiencies such as diabetes, cataract etc. Surveys were also conducted for finding out nutritional status of tribals in various states of the country. The Council’s National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad undertakes most of the studies in nutrition.

Health and Nutrition Profile of Tribals of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh By Tapas Chakma, P. Vinay Rao, P.K. Meshram, S.B. Singh

Central India, which constitutes mainly of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and its adjoining area, holds 23% of the total population of the country. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has about 46 Scheduled Tribes of which 7 of them are declared as primitive tribes. The primitive tribes are Saharias of Chambal division, Bharias of Patalkot, Baigas of Baigachak area, Hill Korbas and Birhors of Sarguja, Kamars of Raipur and Abujhmarias of Bastar. Due to different socio-cultural milieu, different diseases are prevailing among them. However, some of the diseases are common among all these primitive tribes: like acute respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, diarrhoeal diseases and nutritional disorders are common among all these tribes. Some of the genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia are restricted to their clan because of consanguineous marriages.

Link : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242132190_Health_and_Nutrition_Profile_of_Tribals_of_Madhya_Pradesh_and_Chhattisgarh

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)

This Article contains tables of recommended dietary as given bellow :

1.  Recommended Intakes for Individuals, Vitamins

2. Recommended Intakes for Individuals, Elements

3. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULa), Vitamins

4. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULa), Elements

5. Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) for Men and Women 30 Years of Age

6. Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges

7. Recommended Intakes for Individuals, Macronutrients

8. Additional Macronutrient Recommendations

9. Estimated Average Requirements for Groups

Link : https://fnic.nal.usda.gov/sites/fnic.nal.usda.gov/files/uploads/recommended_intakes_individuals.pdf

Improving Project Results Through Integration By Plan International USA

Slow progress on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), particularly sanitation, in developing countries is holding back progress on all other MDGs, according to researchers at the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit. Achieving the water and sanitation MDGs contributes an average 30 percent toward other MDGs such as girls’ education, maternal and child health, and gender empowerment. Addressing the causes of under 5 child mortality through maternal and child health interventions can be hindered if progress is not also made in the areas of access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Hygiene promotion is the most cost effective health intervention according to the World Bank.

Link : https://www.planusa.org/docs/WASHMCH.pdf

Hogenakkal Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project

In India, development of water supply facilities has not been able to keep up with the increase in water usage due to the population growth, leading to a serious imbalance in the supply and demand of water. Also, excess dependency on groundwater forced by delays in the development of water supply facilities utilizing surface water has caused groundwater level depletion, resulting in such problems as contamination of fluoride, arsenic, and other harmful substances in groundwater. In India, the number of patients suffering from fluorosis due to drinking water contamination by fluoride is as high as 66 million. Prolonged consumption of groundwater containing more than the maximum fluoride level (1.5 mg/L) permitted under WHO guidelines has caused serious damage to people’s teeth, bones, internal organs as well as to unborn children. The 11th 5-Year Plan (April 2007–March 2012) by the Government of India, incorporates a “National Fluorosis Mitigation Programme” which deals with the fluoride issue on a national scale for the first time.

Link : http://www.cmie.com/kommon/bin/sr.php?kall=wclrdhtm&nvdt=20130611152704523&nvpc=099000000000&nvtype=TIDINGS

Impacts Of Groundwater Contamination With Fluoride And Arsenic: Affliction Severity, Medical Cost And Wage Loss In Some Villages Of India By Rajnarayan Indu , Sunderrajan Krishnan and Tushaar Shah

In India, high Fluoride concentrations in groundwater (greater than 1 mg/l – milligrams per litre) are widespread in the arid to semi-arid western states of Rajasthan and Gujarat and in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. A field research study conducted at 6 areas severely affected by Fluorosis shows that affordability of safer drinking water is related with higher income level and that the severity of Fluorosis affliction is higher for lower income levels. The cost incurred from medicines and loss of wages is a significant proportion of the earnings and has a general debilitating impact on the affected families. As compared with Fluorosis, the skin afflictions of Arsenicosis carry greater social stigma and incur higher costs on patients. In Nadia district in West Bengal, the impacts of Arsenic contamination are more severe with increasing age. Cumulatively over the entire afflicted population, both Fluoride and Arsenic contamination have a high cost on society and addressing the problem would require more attention from government agencies and society apart from individual awareness.

Link : http://irm.sagepub.com/content/3/1/69.full.pdf+html

Status Of Fluoride In Ground Water By Mr.A.Kulasekaran.,M.Sc.,M.A.,A.M.I.E. , Mr.P.Balakrishnan.,B.Sc.

 Fluoride is one of the critical chemical parameters, which influences the quality of ground water in most of the districts in Tamilnadu. The data for fluoride in ground water sources in Tamilandu is now available for the following programs: 

(i) Fluoride testing campaign in 11 districts of Tamilnadu (1994-1995) 

(ii) Periodical water quality monitoring for Observation wells (1991-1999) 

(iii) Testing of water samples for Hand Pump sources (12% coverage) (2000-2001) 

(iv) Testing of water samples for Power Pump sources (100% coverage) (2000-2001)
(v) Testing of water samples for Hand Pump sources (100% coverage) (2001-2002)

Nutritional Disorders by RMRCT

In April 1995, centre received a request from the collector and chief medical officer of Mandla district to investigate the cause of a mysterious disease characterized by pain and deformity (Genu valgum) in the lower limbs, mostly among children and adolescents below age 20 in two villages of the district. Thus this epidemiological investigation was undertaken with the objective to find the cause of the knock-knee deformity. The investigation was carried out in two affected villages of Mandla district. The first village was Tilaipani, located about 12 km east of the district headquarter Mandla; the second village was Hirapur, which was about 50 km southwest of Mandla City. Tilaipani had a population of 542 in various age groups, and Hirapur had about 620. Evaluation of data comprised of obtaining and recording of medical histories, detailed clinical and radiological examinations, examination of biochemical parameters of blood, fluoride levels in urine and in all drinking water sources and dietary surveys. Biochemical investigations included serum alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus and serum calcium. Dietary surveys were conducted using the 24-hr recall method. Fluoride levels were estimated using a fluoride ion selective electrode.

Pocket Colorimeter II by Hach

The new Pocket ColorimeterTM II Filter Photometer is a true go-anywhere instrument. It's lightweight and battery operated, suitable for extended field work or quick, on-the-spot process monitoring. The instrument has two channels in which measurements can be made. Each channel will accept a user-defined calibration curve. Up to 10 standards can be used to determine the calibration. The curve is generated by a point-to-point straight line segment between each standard used. Linear and non-linear positive or negative slope calibrations can be performed. A calibration curve may also be manually entered from the keypad if a previously determined curve has been made on the Colorimeter. At least two data pairs (concentration and absorbance) are required.

Draft Specification for Domestic (household) Defluoridation Filter Unit (DDFU/DDU) by Unicef

Fluoride is a normal constituent of most natural waters and its concentration varies depending on the water source. Surface waters seldom have fluoride concentrations beyond 0.3 mg/lit. Geological processes, weathering of fluoride bearing minerals and hydrogeological conditions can lead to higher fluoride levels in groundwater in certain areas, which can become endemic for fluorosis.

Link : http://www.watersanitationhygiene.org/References/EH_KEY_REFERENCES/WATER/Water%20Quality/Fluoride/Specifications%20for%20Domestic%20Defluoridation%20%28UNICEF%29.pdf

High Efficiency Fluoride Treatment “F-crest” By Takumi Fujita

 A high efficiency neutral fluoride treatment based on calcium phosphate salts as a main raw material
for solidification and insolubilization of fluorine-containing waste as fluoro-apatite in a short period
of time and high efficiency.  Solidification and insolubilization of a low concentration of fluoro-compounds in the environment as sparingly soluble calcium phosphate salts (fluoro-apatite) as suggested by the biomimetic nano surface reaction of applying a fluoro-chemical to teeth for protection of decay.  Very reactive with fluoro-compounds, which are effectively insolubilized with a small amount of “F-crest”. Completion of solidification and insolubilization of fluorine-contaminated soil in a short period of time. No need to replace the contaminated soil. No decrease of soil quality for a long period of time after treatment. More efficient in treating fluorine-containing wastewater than the conventional process based on aluminum sulfate (reduced to about 1/10th of additives). Little generation of sludge.

 link :http://www.chubu.meti.go.jp/kankyo/data/chiyoda_english.pdf

Fluoride Removal from Ground Water by Gama-Alumina Coated Ceramic Honeycomb By K. Dasha , U. S. Hareeshb , R. Johnsonb and J. Arunachalama

Studies have been carried out on defluoridation of ground water using gamma alumina coatings on a ceramic honeycomb. The sol gel coated gamma alumina adsorbent was found to adsorb fluoride rapidly and effectively. Coatings on ceramic honeycomb were prepared using a sol of dispersible precursor of boehmite (-AlOOH). The boehmite coating, on calcination at 500°C transformed to alumina. The fluoride removal performance was investigated as a function of the fluoride concentration and flow rate. It was observed that fluoride removal is low at higher flow rate. The specific fluoride uptake capacity was 15400mg of Fremoved /kg of coated -alumina on the ceramic honeycomb from fluoride solution, whereas in case of ground water, the capacity was 12600 mg of Fper kg of coated alumina. The regeneration was effected by passing a dilute solution of aluminum sulfate solution. A fluoride removal kit consisting of five ceramic honeycombs in series was evaluated to defluoridate ground water. Around 200 liters of ground water (initial Fconc. of 5 ppm) could be defluoridated to permissible level of Fconcentration. It is much easier and convenient to regenerate the alumina coated on the honeycombs due to open channel structures of the honeycomb.

Domestic Defluoridation of Water Using Locally Produced Activated Alumina by N V Dzung , H H Phong, N N Long, N T Quang and P Waldemar

A low-cost defluoridator for domestic use is developed, based onactivated alumina as a sorption medium. The filter column is 11.4 cm in diameter and 1 m in height. It is designed to contain about 8 L or about 3 kg of alumina. The alumina is prepared by using aluminium sulphate and sodium hydroxide to precipitate aluminium hydroxide at 60-70 oC. The precipitate is settled, washed,granulated and calcined at 550 - 600 oC for 4 hours. A column test in the laboratory revealed that the fresh alumina could remove fluoride from 5 mg/L to < 0.7 mg/L at a capacity of 1.2 g/kg. The developed filter allows for monthly regeneration of the medium by the users themselves. A quantity of 0.4 kg of aluminium sulphate is used in the regeneration. The filter operates upwards, while the regeneration operates downwards in the filter column. Field-testing data show that the filters could treat water containing about 2 mgF/L down to 0.15 - 0.46 mg/L, thus an average removal efficiency of 85 %. Monitoring of a filter through 5 operation periods shows that the regenerated alumina loaded with water containing 2.6 mgF/L could treat the water at an efficiency of 89 %. Themedium capacity is estimated to be 0.7 gF/kg regenerated alumina. Field experiences show that the villagers very well accept the filter; it is easy to operate and to maintain and the filter costs are affordable to the families, about 45 USD for purchase and 20 US Cents for the monthly regeneration.

Status of Water Treatment Plants in India

Water is a precious commodity. Most of the earth water is sea water. About 2.5% of the water is fresh water that does not contain significant levels of dissolved minerals or salt and two third of that is frozen in ice caps and glaciers. In total only 0.01% of the total water of the planet is accessible for consumption. Clean drinking water is a basic human need. Unfortunately, more than one in six people still lack reliable access to this precious resource in developing world. India accounts for 2.45% of land area and 4% of water resources of the world but represents 16% of the world population. With the present population growth-rate (1.9 per cent per year), the population is expected to cross the 1.5
billion mark by 2050. The Planning Commission, Government of India has estimated the water demand increase from 710 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) in 2010 to almost 1180 BCM in 2050 with domestic and industrial water consumption expected to increase almost 2.5 times. The trend of urbanization in India is exerting stress on civic authorities to provide basic requirement such as safe drinking water, sanitation and infrastructure. The rapid growth of population has exerted the portable water demand, which requires exploration of raw water sources, developing treatment and distribution systems.

Link : http://cpcb.nic.in/upload/NewItems/NewItem_103_statusofwaterqualitypackage.pdf

Serum Ionic Fluoride: Normal Range and Relationship to Age and Sex by Harry Husdan, Rudolph yogi, Dimitrios Oreopoulos, Cyril Gryfe and Abraham Rapoport

We used the Orion fluoride electrode systemtodeterminethe normal range of serum ionic fluoride concentrationsand to investigate its relationship to sex and age (A). 87normal men, age 18-92 years (mean, 46 years), and 49normal women, age 19-64 years (mean, 38 years), participatedin the study. At the 95% confidence limits, males<45 years old had a normal range of 0.29 to 1.52 moI/litre and males  45 years old 0.29 + 0.0101 (A-45)to 1.52+ 0.0101 (A-45) tmol/litre. Females, however, had anormal range of 0.022A - 0.32 to 0.022A + 1.07 tmol/litre. A group of 51 men 18-44 years old was comparedwith a group of 36 men 46-92 years old. The mean serumF of the older group was shown to be significantly greater(P <0.01)than that of the younger group. Factors relatedto serum ionic fluoride values are (a) tea as an importantsource of dietary F, (b) the lack of significant variationduring daytime hours, and (C) the lack of significant differencein concentration between serum and plasma F.Concentrations of serum constituents in normalpeople are in some cases affected by sex and age (1).Recently, in determining the normal range of serumionic fluoride in groups of males and females of differentages, we also noted that age and sex exerted some influence.Although chemical methods (2-5) for measuringserum fluoride have been known for over 25years, it is only since 1968 that it has been recognizedthat fluoride in human serum is partly ionized (6, 7)-chiefly because an instrument for convenientlymeasuring ionic fluoride (8-9) became commerciallyavailable in 1966. The importance of serum ionic fluoridemeasurements is further emphasized in view of theclinical use of fluoride as a treatment for osteoporosis,either alone (10, 11) or in combination with other substancessuch as calcium and vitamin D (12)


Open Source:
.http://www.clinchem.org/content/22/11/1884.full.pdf

Test discs and reagent for semi-quantitative determination of fluoride ions in surface and ground water by

The fluoride test is especially suited for rapid control of fluoride concentrations.
Its purpose is to define concentration ranges and to detect values which fall
short of or exceed given limits.

A Simple Field Method For The Estimation Of Fluoride In Ground Waters For Common Man’s Use by S. V. Rao, Ritu Singh and S. C. Chaurasia

Fluoride is considered as an essential element forhuman beings. In potable waters, a fluorideconcentration of 1 μg/ml is necessary to preventtooth decay. However, at higher concentrations (>2μg/ml), it has adverse effects such as causingfluorosis. Fluoride toxicity is prevailant in variousparts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh andGujarat. Due to natural as well as anthropogeniccauses, the levels of fluoride in ground waters canimpossible by government laboratories. In order tomonitor fluoride, there is a need for fast, simple andcost effective method, which can be easily adaptedby common man. Visual colorimetric methods wouldbe the most suited for such applications. The mostcommonly used visual method is based onbleaching of Zirconium-Alizarin complex. Thismethod requires one hour for colour developmentand moreover, in this method, change in colour withfluoride concentration is gradual and hence a seriesof standards need to be prepared for quantification.This requires a skilled and experienced person.