I am blogging about something different this morning. I should get back in giving my dear reader some awesome recipes. But I feel that this is rather important. Writing this blog article this morning almost made me feel back in school learning biology. Refreshes ones memory on some important things to stay healthy. I would love to have your opion on this so please feel free to comment on this discussion.
In 1999 the South African Government in fact the Department of Health went around South Africa speaking to all sorts of people living in different cities, towns, rural areas and informal settlements. They wanted to find out what types of food people were eating, how often they were eating and how much money they could afford to spend on food each week. The reason for this was to see if the general population of South Africa was eating healthily.
So what was the findings of this research?
The findings were as follows:
..."most children do not get enough food and micro-nutrients in their daily meals and because of this many children are underweight and are too short for their age (i.e. they have stunted growth.)";
..."most of the families do not have enough money for food and often go hungry";
..."maize meal, white sugar, tea, whole milk, and bread are the most popular bought and eaten foods".
The Government realised that they had to do something to help South Africans, especially children, to become healthier. They decided that the best way to do this would be to fortify the most commonly eaten foods in South Africa. (That would be maize meal, white and brown bread flour with added vitamins and minerals.)
By October 2003 the Government made it law that all white/brown flour and maize had to be fortified. Not only did that include the normal milling of flour but also our breads bought in shops.
Fortify means:... to strengthen. Food fortification means to "strengthen" food with vitamins and minerals.
WHY IS MICRO-NUTRIENTS IMPORTANT?
We need to first learn what are micro-nutrients!
What are micro-nutrients? (Vitamins and Minerals)
When people talk about micro-nutrients they are talking about vitamins and minerals that are found naturally in fresh fruit and vegetables and other foods.
Why does our body need vitamins?
Vitamins are needt to keep your body healthy. Most vitamins are found in plants. People get vitamins by eating vegetables and fruits and animal products.
Why does our body need minerals?
They are important in for children as they help to build strong bones and teeth. They give you the energy for the day. Minerals are found in vegetables, milk products, eggs, seafood, seeds of plants, and in organs of animals like kidneys and liver.
Micro-nutrients are vitamins and minerals that people need to keep their minds strong and body healthy to fight off diseases and have healthy offspring. If you do not have enough of even just one of the micro-nutrients you will get a deficiency and become sick. As most South Africans don't have the money to eat a variety of foods to provide all the micro-nutrients they need they are having a Micro-nutrient deficiency (meaning they are not getting enough vitamins and minerals.) They only way they can get these important micro-nutrients is to eat food that has been fortified. By the end of 2003 the government decided to fortify all maize meal, white and brown flour with Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Iron and Zinc.
On the 7 October 2003 all Maize Meal and Wheat Flour has been fortified with Micro Nutrients. Look below for a list of the added Micro-nutrients and see where you can find it to stay healthy:
Vitamin A:
Why do I need it?
It is essential for excellent eyesight, growth and to fight illnesses.
Where can I find it?
Carrots, yellow and dark green leafy vegetables, pumpkin, apricots, melon, liver, egg yolk, fish, whole milk, butter, and cheese.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Vitamin A?
Night Blindness, partial or total blindness, skin sores, loss of appetite, low immune system meaning that you will be prone for illnesses that is contagious.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1):
Why do I need it?
It keeps your blood healthy and helps with digestion.
Where can I find it?
Breads, cereal and pork.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Vitamin B1?
Extreme fatigue, irritability, constipation, and loss of appetite.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2):
Why do I need it?
It keeps your blood healthy, strong immune system and helps with growth.
Where can I find it?
Nuts, diary products, meat, fish, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Vitamin B2?
You will have eye problems, sores on your skin, mouth and tongue, hair loss, and stunted growth.
Niacin:
Why do I need it?
Helps with the breaking down of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids and cell respiration.
Where can I find it?
Meat, poultry, fish, peanuts, and brewer's yeast.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Niacin?
Muscular weakness, indigestion, skin sores and diarrhoea.
Folic Acid:
Why do I need it?
It is very important for the formation of DNA and RNA, which is the bodies building blocks. It plays a very important role in forming and developing white and red blood cells.
Where can I find it?
Dark green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, whole grain cereals, nuts, and legumes.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Folic Acid?
Anaemia, and its very important for pregnant women to take Folic acid as a lack of Folic Acid can cause your baby to have a very weak spinal cord.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6):
Why do I need it?
Healthy blood, helps the body to use proteins as building blocks and to maintain a healthy nervous system.
Where can I find it?
Dried beans, peanut butter, potatoes, liver, and milk
Side Effects of a deficiency of Vitamin B6?
Depression, nausea, skin problems, irritability, heart disease, and lack of concentration.
Iron:
Why do I need it?
Helps to fight illnesses, helps with brain function and development, carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
Where can I find it?
Dried beans, meat, chicken, liver, kidney, egg yolks, and seafood.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Iron?
Weak blood, tiredness, reduced concentration and irritability.
Zinc:
Why do I need it?
Maintains a healthy immune system, reduces the risk of skin problems (acne and boils).
Where can I find it?
Meat, fish, poultry, milk products, whole grain cereals, and dried beans.
Side Effects of a deficiency of Zinc?
Slow growth, delayed wound healing, loss of taste and appetite, hair loss, and immune deficiencies.
Benefits of food fortification:
Fewer children get sick or die at an early age.
Childrens growth is not stunted and they have better performance at school.
Adults have increased strength and can work longer and harder.
This is the official food fortification logo, approved by government. If a package carries this logo, it means it is fortified in line with the food fortification guidelines.
Why now?
The food we eat today do not contain enough vitamins and essential minerals for maximum health. Our grandparents lived in a different world where the air was cleaner, less stressful, cheaper and they were able to live off the land eating healthier and tastier fruit, vegetables and meats.
So what now?
Because our food is being fortified does it mean that we now don't have to eat fresh fruit, vegetables or take any supplements? No! We still have to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. One can not just be sustained on fortified maize and flour. We need to have a variety eating plenty veggies, fresh water and exercise. They all aid in regular bowel movments and the prevention of colon cancer and other diseases.
Did you know that food fortification has been practiced for over 80 years Internationally and is proven to be completely safe and very effective. For more infor88mation please see: http://www.foodfacts.org.za/Articles/FoodFortification.asp or Visit the website of the Department of Health at http://www.doh.gov.za and click on SEARCH and then input "food fortification".
My question to you is do you think it was right for Governments to add "stuff" to our foods? Whether it is good or not?
For those people that cannot afford to eat anything but maize and bread, it's better than nothing. But, it is not a great solution, no.
ReplyDeleteThis was not only informative but enjoyable as it was an easy read and you made it intersting with all the questions you raise. Thank you!
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