Iron, Zinc and Selenium Status of Urban and Rural Populations in Pakistan, Their Bioavailability in the Diet and Their Dietary Interaction

Studies are intended on rural and urban populations in our part of Pakistan as there is a great diversity in diet, living conditions, family income etc. Anaemias are known to be very common especially among the urban poor, in rural areas and especially among women. In pregnancy, it is probably true to say that almost all of the lower income groups are anaemic. Many people from the northern areas, who are apparently in good health, become anaemic on settling in the Karachi area. Previous studies I have carried out have shown that blood lead levels [1] among the population of Karachi are alarmingly high and are presently due to the highly leaded petrol used in the motor vehicles here, Lead inhibits the activity of 7-aminolaevuIinic acid dehydratase involved in die biosynthesis of haem and hence can induce anaemia [2]. However, a good selenium status may inhibit the effects of lead [3] and also of cadmium [4], another toxic trace element.