Effect of zinc- and micronutrient-rich food supplements on zinc and vitamin A status of adolescent girls

Objectives: The present study was aimed at assessing the effect of zinc- and micronutrient-rich food supplementation compared with ayurvedic zinc tablets on the blood levels of zinc and vitamin A in adolescent girls. Methods: One hundred eighty apparently healthy schoolgirls (12.5 +/- 0.85 y old) were recruited for a 10-wk intervention trial. They were randomized to three groups: one group received a food supplement that was prepared using zinc- and micronutrient-rich foods and by adopting food-processing methods that increase zinc bioavailability; the second group received ayurvedic zinc (Jasad) tablets as a natural elemental zinc supplement; and the third group served as the control without any supplementation. Diet was assessed by 24-h recall on 3 non-consecutive days. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for plasma levels of zinc, beta-carotene, retinol, vitamin C, and hemoglobin at baseline and the end of the study period. Results: Food supplementation showed a significant increase in plasma levels of zinc (9.9%), beta-carotene (56.2%), and vitamin C (28.0%, P < 0.05) and a non-significant increase in hemoglobin (1.7%), although small, non-significant changes in blood micronutrient levels were observed in the control group (P > 0.1). Food supplementation decreased the prevalence of zinc deficiency (73% to 53.1%), beta-carotene deficiency (31.1% to 17.4%), and mild anemia (32.2% to 23.7%). Ayurvedic zinc supplementation significantly improved plasma zinc (61.3%) and plasma retinol (38.2%) and decreased the prevalence of zinc deficiency (73.7% to 36.2%) and vitamin A deficiency (65.4% to 20.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Zinc- and micronutrient-rich food supplementation was effective in improving the zinc and vitamin A status of adolescent girls. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.