In a systematic review published by the Cochrane Collaboration last week, researchers found that the micronutrient powder used in recent years to combat malnutrition, anemia and iron deficiency in children was very helpful in preventing malnutrition in children six to 24 months old, VOA News reports. WHO epidemiologist Luz Maria De Regil “and other researchers combined the results of eight previous studies involving thousands of children,” VOA writes, adding, “The studies were done on three continents, in countries as varied as Haiti, Cambodia and Ghana.”

“Specifically, the supplement powder reduced anemia by about one-third and iron deficiency by half compared to no supplement or a placebo,” VOA notes. “The micronutrient powder seems to be about equally effective as iron supplements, but the authors say that conclusion should be treated ‘cautiously,’ because of limited data,” the news service adds (Chimes, 9/9).