Element intake of the Gidra in lowland Papua: Inter‐village variation and the comparison with contemporary levels in developed countries

Abstract

Intake of 17 elements (Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn Sr, Cd, Hg and Pb) was estimated in four villages of the Gidra in lowland Papua New Guinea. Among these elements, inter‐village variation of intake was relatively large for Na, Al, V, Fe, Ni, Cd, Hg and Pb. The variation was attributed to the different concentrations in foods and drinking water, and the differences in food consumption by different villages. Compared to the intake levels reported in Japan, the USA and European countries, Na, Ca, Ni, Cd and Pb intake in the Gidra was low. Low Na intake was principally caused by low consumption of salt. Low Na and Ca intakes were attributed to the low levels of consumption of animal foods. On the other hand, Mg, Al, K, Mn, Fe and Sr intake levels in the Gidra were high. In particular, extremely high Fe intake was attributed to region‐specific foods such as sago, wild seeds and shellfish.