Trace element intake by Asians during pregnancy.

In Harrow, we have a community of Asians who originate from Gujarat-a state in north-west India. A study was set up to investigate the trace metal status in this group of Asian vegetarians and non-vegetarians and in a white control group, because the increased demands of pregnancy could precipitate a deficiency in women with marginally adequate diets. The trace element study is part'of a much larger study looking at the general nutritional status, perinatal morbidity, etc., within the above mentioned population in Harrow. The established role of trace metals in animal reproduction increases the likelihood of the existence of such an association in humans. The vegetarian diet, high in both phytates and fibre which binds available zinc, creates the potential for marginal Zn deficiency. In addition, foods eaten by vegetarians tend primarily to be poor sources of Zn. There is little information in the literature on the trace metal intake of Asians in Britain and we felt it necessary to try and establish whether the diets of the Asians in Harrow were poor, marginal or adequate with regard to Zn and copper.