J.JAYAPRIYANKA (DIETICIAN)., M.sc Foods and nutrition & dietetics ARTICLES
“EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF LOTUS STEM POWDER ON ANAEMIC SUBJECTS”
World health organization(WHO) in 2011,showed that 48% women in the age group 15-49 years in India, had haemoglobin concentrations lower than 120g/L(12g/dl) and were diagnosed as having anemia.
The prevalence of anaemia ranges from to among pregnant women and is more than among adolescent girls. The is high in developing countries, poverty, and poor access to health.
What is anemia?
- Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin.
- Hemoglobin is a main part of red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygen.
Signs & symptoms of anemia:
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- Fatigue/lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Spoon shape nails(koilonychia)
- Numbness or hands and feet
- Low body temperature
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ANEMIA IN ADOLECENTS:
Balanced Diet Rich in Iron, Vitamin & Minerals:
- Foods rich in iron green vegetables & fruits ,grains(wheat / jowar / bajra / rice flakes / sprouted pulses / groundnuts / sesame / jaggery / dried fruits)
- Liver/eggs/fish/meat
- Vitamin c rich foods(amla / apple / pear / orange / lemon)helps in absorption of iron
How much iron should I intake?
Don’t consume more than 45mg of iron on a daily basis.it is important to maintain the recommended iron levels in our body, excess iron can lead to constipation or GI stress.
LOTUS STEM POWDER TO ALLEVIATE ANEMIA
Lotus stem is a traditional plant exploited for its medicinal properties. It is rich in iron, hence this study aimed at assessing the impact of supplementation of lotus stem powder among the selected anaemic subjects. Thirty anaemic subjects were collected in the age group of 18-23 years, with haemoglobin level between 8-11 gm/dL. Lotus stem powder supplement to the anaemic subjects for a period of one month. It was found that there was an improvement in haemoglobin level and reduction in total iron binding capacity level. Nutrition education was given to the subjects to impart nutrition knowledge to improve the adequacy of nutrient rich foods which dietaries.
OBJECTIVES
- To identify the anaemic subjects of college girls (18-22 years)
- To assess the haemoglobin level of anaemic subjects before and after supplementation.
- To supplement lotus stem powder 1 gram to the selected subjects for a period of 1 month.
- To create awareness on the importance and benefits of the lotus stem powder among the selected subjects
METHODOLOGY:
SELECTION OF AREA:
I would give the supplementation of the lotus stem powder to college girls in D.K.M college and konavattam area at vellore.
SELECTION OF SAMPLE
- Random sampling is a sampling technique where we select a group of subjects for study from a larger group.
- The college student belong to age group 18-22 were randomly selected for the study.
- Around 30 samples with low haemoglobin level were selected, in this of 20 subjects are selected as experimental group and 10 subjects are selected as control group.
COLLECTION OF DATA:
Using formulated interview schedule, the following information was collected to assess “EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF LOTUS STEM POWDER ON ANAEMIC SUBJECTS” the personal information like name ,Age, sex, occupational status, type of family, religion etc…were collected.
ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS:
- Assess nutritional status of the selected subjects by use the B C D method.
- Biochemical assessment
- Clinical assessment
- Dietary assessment
PREPARATION OF LOTUS STEM POWDER
- Lotus stem were peeled out and trimmed pieces.
- In order to reduce the oxalate content, these lotus stem pieces were boiled in water for 10-15 min and allowed to dry
- The dried stems was converted into the fine powder from using mixer grinder.
SUPPLEMENTATION OF LOTUS STEM TO THE SUBJECTS
- Each packet consists of one gram of lotus stem powder. Hence one packet was provided each day and the experimental groups were advised to the consume one gram of lotus stem powder in a empty stomach
SIDE EFFECTS OF THE LOTUS STEM
Lotus stem may contains many harbor parasites. When the people eat lotus stem without cleaning and cooking, they face some symptoms. The symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and intestinal obstruction. Thorough washing and cooking under the steam destroys its larvae.
COMPOSITION
| NUTRIENTS | GM/100 GM | LOTUS STEM POWDER |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | 100 | 12.1 |
| Fat | 100 | 1.3 |
| Fibre | 100 | 21.4 |
| Protein | 100 | 6.2 |
| Iron | 100 | 51.3 |
| Vitamin c | 100 | 4.3 |
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF LOTUS STEM POWDER:
The effect of supplementation of lotus stem powder on anaemic subjects was found by analysis of blood haemoglobin level before and after the supplementation of lotus stem powder for 31 days.
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
CONCLUSION:
- Iron deficiency anemia is a common nutritional deficiency in the world. Lotus stem powder help to increase the hemoglobin level which is clinically proven.
- Lotus stem powder given as supplementation to the selected anaemic subjects for 31 days
- The effect of supplementation was analyzed statistically to obtain the significance.
- Thus from the study, it is concluded that the anemic subjects greatly increased their hemoglobin level with lotus stem powder supplementation which is also statistically proven.
“Good nutrition will prevent 95% of all disease” – Linus Pauling