Published online May 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.120
Revised: January 15, 2014
Accepted: March 17, 2014
Published online: May 16, 2014
Nutrient deficiencies are prevalent worldwide. Diseases and morbid conditions have been described to result from nutritional deficiencies. It is essential to address nutrient deficiencies as these may lead to chronic long-term health problems such as rickets, iron deficiency anemia, goiter, obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis. In the present review we surveyed the extent and severity of nutritional deficiencies in Israel through a selective and comprehensive Medline review of previous reports and studies performed during the last 40 years. Israeli populations have multiple nutritional deficiencies, including iron, calcium, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins B12, C, D and E, spanning all age groups, several minorities, and specific regions. In Israel, some of the nutrients are mandatorily implemented and many of them are implemented voluntarily by local industries. We suggest ways to prevent and treat the nutritional deficiencies, as a step to promote food fortification in Israel.
Core tip: In view of the wide nutritional deficiencies in Israel, we encourage local health, education and industrial ministries to expand efforts to study and document those deficiencies with the vision of fortifying basic commonly used foods in order to fight the deficiencies and prevent their occurrence in the future.