one group received a food
supplement that was prepared using zinc- and micronutrient-rich foods and by adopting foodprocessing
methods that increase zinc bioavailability; the second group received ayurvedic zinc
(Jasad) tablets as a natural elemental zinc supplement; and the third group served as the control
without any supplementation. Diet was assessed by 24-h recall on 3 non-consecutive days. Fasting
blood samples were analyzed for plasma levels of zinc, b-carotene, retinol, vitamin C, and hemoglobin
at baseline and the end of the study period.