Many plant-based foods are rich in iron, but they also contain high amounts of fibre and phytates, which reduce the body’s capacity to absorb the essential nutrient.
The reasons for the hesitancy to donate blood are complex and include a fear of needles and lack of awareness. Awareness and education drives to dispel the fear of donating are important.
The burden of communicable disease is declining in Africa and life expectancy is increasing. But non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer are wreaking havoc.
In Kenya, not much attention has been paid to addressing pregnant women’s nutritional needs. This has exposed a gap in efforts to improve maternal and child health.
Micronutrient deficiencies are not well understood as an aspect of malnutrition. The problem is that such deficiencies increase a range of health risks.
Over the last three years Kenya has seen marked improvements in its nutrition-related targets as a result of a national nutrition plan it has implemented.
After years of conflicting research and often extreme opinions on iron, it turns out that like anything else that is a benefit in moderation, in excess it is a detriment.