Ethnogeographic features of nutrition as a key factor in the development of iron deficiency anemia in the Bukhara region

Abstract

Introduction. Ecological disasters, industrial pollution, and poor nutrition lead to significant changes in the content of microelements (MEs) in food and, as a consequence, in the human body, while toxic MEs accumulate, displacing essential ones. Iron deficiency anemia refers to biogeochemical poly-microelementosis. For the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), drugs containing microelements are used along with traditional methods of treatment. Aim. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional characteristics and the ME content in the diet in order to clarify the etiology of IDA, the role of microelementosis in its development, and to also identify indicators of red blood parameters in families living in the Qorovulbozor district of the Bukhara region. Methods. Ten families were examined, each consisting of a husband, a wife, and female children. In order to facilitate the analysis of the results obtained, the husbands and wives selected for examination from those were aged between 30 and 45 with daughters from 12-17 years old. The content of MEs in erythrocytes and blood serum, in tap water, and in irrigation ditch (arch) water was determined. Results. A relatively favorable picture was observed only in men, while 1-3 degree IDA was observed with almost the same frequency in both mothers (75-78.5%) and their daughters (20-21.4%), respectively. Daily nutrition was roughly estimated by dividing the volume of food consumed per week into 7 days and the number of family members. Despite this, iron deficiency turned out to be significant for such products as meat, milk, bread, eggs, and fruit. This served as the basis for convincing the subjects of the need for proper nutrition and the administration of ME containing preparations (Vitrum Prenatal Forte). Conclusion. In order to exclude the entry of toxic MEs into the body, it is advisable to use mineral water for food, especially during pregnancy, instead of tap water. Our findings provide the basis for the need to correct the ME composition of the body with the necessary MEs, not only by increasing the volume and quality of food products, but also by using medications containing MEs.