Global Scenario of Vitamin Deficiency and Human Health

Abstract

Vitamins are either fat-soluble (vitamin A, D, E, and K) or water-soluble (vitamin B and C) and required in small amounts for maintaining the healthy growth and normal function of the human body. Vitamin deficiency is a major public health issue worldwide. More than two billion people have found vitamin deficient and are mostly belong to developing countries. Vitamin A deficiency is of severe health concern under the age of 5 years children in several South-East Asian and African countries. Similarly, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies are the other major growing health concern. The global community must prioritize their action to eradicate hunger as well as vitamin deficiency in low- and middle-income countries. Various vitamin supplementation, food fortification, biofortification, and health policy programs are needed to improve the scenario of vitamin deficiency. Nutrition policy should transit from a simple reductionist method to multifaceted solutions and also work in the synergy of the scientific community to improve the health quality of large population. This chapter is mainly focused on vitamin types and their roles in human health, the global scenario of vitamin deficiency, and a significant source of vitamins to eradicate their deficiency.