[Vitamin and mineral deficiency in Mexico. A critical review of the state of the art. II. Vitamin deficiency].

We carried out a review of the studies related to vitamin deficiencies in the Mexican population published since 1950. Forty four studies were published from which we can conclude that: a) dietary intake data suggest that ascorbic acid, riboflavin and retinol intake are deficient: reported intakes were 40-70%, 35-64% and 20-72% of the recommended daily amounts respectively; niacin intake was also deficient in some studies; b) about 10% of Mexican children in rural areas had deficient values of plasma retinol (< 100 ng/ml) and about 25 to 30% had low values (100-200 ng/ml); this prevalence is reduced in children with a higher socioeconomic level; c) some studies were found that show the existence of marginal deficiencies of vitamin E, riboflavin and vitamin B12 in apparently healthy populations. Further studies are required to identify the magnitude of these and perhaps other vitamin deficiencies and their potential effects on the health and function of the Mexican population.