Many Ghanaians deficient in vital nutrient– Doctor...Daily Graphic (Back Page)..Sat. June 07/06

Story Rebecca Quaicoe Duho

A doctor at the Department of Medicine of the University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Dr Margaret Lartey, has observed that although the country has abundant food sources, most people are suffering from micronutrient malnutrition.
She said the condition, often referred to as “hidden hunger”, mostly affected the elderly and children and remained unrecognised in its mild or moderate forms.
According to her, under such circumstances, most people walked about looking healthy, when in actual fact they lacked iron, vitamins and iodine, a situation that she said could lead to anaemic conditions.
Dr Lartey made the observation at a health talk organised by Allipharm UK — agent for Valuepak range of vitamins, minerals and food supplement products — for pharmacists in Accra.
She further observed that vitamin deficiencies frequently occurred in populations with high infectious disease burden, among people with monotonous poor quality diet, as well as diets characterised by limited consumption of animal products.
Dr Lartey, who was speaking on the topic: “The role of supplements in the prevention and management of diseases”, also observed that food taken in excess could increase the ageing process and reduce life expectancy of a person by increasing oxidative stress and, therefore, recommended daily exercises, which, according to her, strengthens antioxidant defences.
She said it had become vital for people to supplement their diets daily with vitamins and minerals to ensure that they had the required amounts of vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) in their systems.
The Chief Executive Officer of BR Pharmaceuticals — manufacturers of Valuepak range of vitamins, mineral and supplements based in UK — Mr Phillip M. Byrne, said the importance of food supplementation for the body could not be overemphasised especially when food were over-cooked, thereby making it lose value.
He said the mission of BR Pharmaceuticals was to deliver quality health care at affordable prices for the benefit of retailers and consumers alike, without compromising on its quality.
Marketed in Ghana over the last six years, Mr Byrne said Valuepak, which is currently Ghana’s leading VMS brand in pharmacy, could boast 45 products in the Valuepak range and gave the assurance that more brands were to be added in the near future.
Mr Byrne said Valuepak would continue to be the dominant VMS brand in Ghana, adding that plans were now in place to develop Valuepak throughout other English and French-speaking countries in West Africa.
The Products and Service Director of Allipharm UK, Mr Samuel Laing, said the talk was aimed at educating the pharmacists to be well informed on the importance of recommending food supplementation to their clients.