Micronutrient deficiency

 
A comprehensive overview of the main types of micronutrient deficiencies in humans.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect over two billion humans worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). Many farm animals appear to also be deficient in some micronutrients, because their diets are optimized for eggfood production rather than overall health.^[2]

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect over two billion peoplehumans worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). Many farm animals appear to also be deficient in some micronutrients, because their diets are optimized for egg production rather than overall health.^[2]

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect over two billion people worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). SomeMany farm animals appear to also be deficient in some micronutrients, because their diets are optimized for egg production rather than overall health.^[2]

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect over two billion people worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). Some farm animals appear to also be deficient in some micronutrients, because their diets are optimized for egg production rather than overall health.^[2]

Further reading

Ritchie, Hannah & Max Roser (2017) Micronutrient deficiency, Our World in Data.

1. ^{^}

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020)Ritchie, Hannah & Max Roser (2017) Micronutrient factsdeficiency, Center for Disease Control and PreventionOur World in Data, December 3..

2. ^{^}

   Esparza, Isaac & Lukas Jasiunas (2021) Introducing Healthier Hens, Effective Altruism Forum, October 25.

3. ^{^}

   Hillebrandt, Hauke & Mark Engelbert (2015) Micronutrient fortification, Giving What We Can, October 29.

4. ^{^}

   GiveWell (2020) Our top charities, GiveWell, November.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect billion people worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). Treating micronutrient deficiencies is a verySome cost-effectivefarm animals intervention: it usually costs only a few cents per person per yearappear to provide particular vitamins or minerals.also be deficient in some micronutrients, because their diets are optimized for egg production rather than overall health.^[2]

Treating micronutrient deficiencies in humans is a very cost-effective intervention: it usually costs only a few cents per person per year to provide particular vitamins or minerals.^[3] One of Givewell’s top-rated charities—Helen Keller International's vitamin A supplementation program—focuses on reducing micronutrient deficiencies.^[3]4] In animals, the organization Healthier Hens focuses on feed fortification for egg-laying hens.

farmed animal welfare | global health and development

1. ^{^}

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) Micronutrient facts, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, December 3.

2. ^{^}

   Esparza, Isaac & Lukas Jasiunas (2021) Introducing Healthier Hens, Effective Altruism Forum, October 25.

3. ^{^}

   Hillebrandt, Hauke & Mark Engelbert (2015) Micronutrient fortification, Giving What We Can, October 29.

4. ^{^}

   GiveWell (2020) Our top charities, GiveWell, November.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for normal growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies affect billion people worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2020),worldwide,^[1] and have been shown to affect people’s physical health (e.g. iron deficiency causes anemia) and cognitive function (e.g. iodine deficiency negatively affects mental development and lowers IQ). Treating micronutrient deficiencies is a very cost-effective intervention: it usually costs only a few cents per person per year to provide particular vitamins or minerals (Hillebrandt & Engelbert 2016).minerals.^[2]

One of Givewell’s top-rated charities—Helen Keller International's vitamin A supplementation program—focuses on reducing micronutrient deficiencies (GiveWell 2020).deficiencies.^[3]

BibliographyRelated entries

global health and development

1. ^{^}

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) Micronutrient facts, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, December 3.

   GiveWell (2020)

2. Our top charities^, GiveWell, November.

   Hillebrandt, Hauke & Mark Engelbert (2015) Micronutrient fortification, Giving What We Can, October 29.

   Related entries

3. ^{^}

   GiveWell (2020) global health and developmentOur top charities, GiveWell, November.

global health and development