Nutrition as Focus Areas

Although micronutrient deficiency diseases can occur any time during the life-cycle, it is during rapid growth, that micronutrient intake must increase or else growth failure or deficiency diseases will develop.  It is during these periods that deficiency symptoms are most prevalent.  For this reason, preschool-aged children, adolescents, and reproductive- aged women are high priority target groups.  School-aged children are a secondary target group because of learning problems associated with micronutrient deficiencies. Anemic adult workers are a third target group; for example, iron supplementation has been shown to significantly improve work output in Indonesia and Kenia.

There are important interactions between micronutrient deficiencies and infectious diseases.  Vitamin A deficiency and measles, for instance, act synergistically to exacerbate the severity of measles and precipitate vitamin A blindness and death. Severe anemia is often jointly caused by malnutrition, malaria, and hookworm.

When moderate or severe deficiencies coincide with critical developmental stages, they can cause prolonged or permanent dysfunction.  Iron deficiency, for instance, is associated with poor attention span, inadequate motor skills, and reduced memory attention. If this occurs during critical stages in preschool cognitive development or during schooling when specific skills are being taught then the child may never catch up.

Two out of three children (64%) in South Africa are vitamin A deficient, despite a national blanket vitamin A supplementation and mandatory fortification of two most important staple foods (maize meal and bread flour).   Also, 28% are anemic and 45% have low zinc status.

Micronutrient deficiencies are a public problem in many developing countries and contribute significantly to raised morbidity and mortality in at-risk populations.  It has been estimated that, in 2000, 3069 deaths (93,2% of deaths) in 0 to 4 year old South African children were attributed to vitamin A deficiency, with the majority being due to diarrheal diseases (96,9%).  In addition, micronutrient deficiencies are also known to have a negative effect on growth and development in children.

One approach for alleviating micronutrient deficiency is by means of fortifying foods consumed by the target population, with those micronutrients known to be deficient in the normal diet.  Although there are certain fortified foods available on the South African market, disadvantaged communities cannot afford to buy these foods on a regular basis.

It is against this background that the premix (Nutri-Caro E) and food products containing the premix, was developed.  Current food products are versatile and specifically tailored for the target population groups and target markets.   Further, the premix is versatile and can be added to a variety of different types of food products.  This allows us to design and tailor food products specific to market requirements and target population groups i.e. pregnant and lactating woman, young children, the elderly.

Understanding the value of proper and targeted nutrition is key to what we do.

Our method is fortifying food products with those macro- and micronutrients known to be absent or deficient in the diet of the majority of people, especially in the diet of vulnerable population groups.  Selection of nutrients is based on latest scientific research with all nutrients being in their natural organic state.  This is the state that nutrients typically would appear in whole and natural food.  The circumstances and health condition of the individual as part of our target population groups is also considered crucial in the design of the food products.  The use of nutrients in their organic state (amino acid chelates) ensures easy digestion, high bioavailability and high efficiency.  The unique plant derived phytonutrient extract further provides health benefits over and above nutrition.

• The pre-mix contains 11 different carotenes with alpha- and beta- carotene as the major components with proven pro-vitamin A activity
• In high concentrations alpha- and beta-carotene, unlike preformed Vitamin A, are not toxic and conversion to retinol depends on the Vitamin A status of the consumer
• Alpha- and beta- carotene are plant derived compounds shown to alleviate Vitamin A deficiency in school learners
• The pre-mix contains 5 different forms of Vitamin E, namely alpha tocopherol as well as alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta – tocotrienol, and in a complex full spectrum form
• The pre-mix also contains other phytonutrients and phytosterols such as lycopene, squalene and co-enzyme Q 10
• The micronutrients iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and chromium are all amino acid complexes which improve bioavailability
• No animal ingredients or preservatives are used in any of the food products and they are suitable for vegetarians

Further consequences of micronutrient deficiencies include growth stunting, anorexia, susceptibility to infections, behavioural changes and learning disabilities.

In addition, malnutrition is a grave contributor to diseases later in life such as diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and cancer.

Targeted Nutrition – We also fortify for specific population target groups, for example early childhood development, pregnant women and diabetes The products are designed to target macro- and micronutrient requirements and deficiencies, as well as being sensitive to possible health considerations in the target groups. The products contain the micronutrients know to be absent or insufficient in the diets of the majority of people, especially in the more vulnerable population target groups. They target deficiencies associated with malnutrition, promote physical and mental growth and development especially in children, and strengthen the immune system.

Sozo Products targets the following impacts of nutritional deficiencies or adequate nutrition:

• Contains a plant extract concentrate (carotenes) with proven pro-vitamin A activity
• Are extremely rich in antioxidants that are effective in preventing many age and stress related diseases
• Addresses and aids growth and physical development in children allowing the child to reach optimal size and muscle mass
• Aids mental and brain development in the long term, and helps with poor concentration
• Directly impacts stunted growth and intellectual development during the first years of a child’s life
• Addresses impairments in mental function and behavioral development
• Aids recovery after illness, disease and surgery, strengthens the body’s immune system and increases the body’s ability to fight infections
• Addresses the problems of fertility associated with malnutrition
• Aids digestive and absorption problems due to malnutrition and nutritional deficiency
• Products are formulated for high bio-availability – it is easily digestible and highly absorbable
• Increases physical performance where it has been reduced due to insufficient nutrition
• Helps with mood swings – malnutrition can be associated with depression and feeling tired and lethargic
• Increases energy levels and reduces tiredness, fatigue and apathy
• Helps to grow and maintain a healthy appetite
• Aids the ability to perform normal tasks
• Sozo Products comprises full spectrum complex members of the Vitamin E family (tocopherol & tocotrienol) with numerous health benefits
  • Neural protection – protects against risk of stroke,
  • Cardio vascular – reverse arterial and blood circulatory problem,
  • Anti-cancer – provides anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity,
  • assists with high cholesterol,
  • reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes
• In addition, Sozo products contains plant squalene, co-enzyme Q10 and other phytonutrients, all with numerous health benefits.

Sozo Food products are suitable for children and adults with digestive and stomach conditions as well as people with allergy sensitivities.