From research to global reality: the micronutrient story.

The professional life history of E. V. McCollum exemplifies how sound nutrition-related laboratory research was translated into practical realities that influenced individual and national nutrition-related decisions. Public health and educational programs emerging in the first third of this century improved health and nutritional well-being in the United States. Characteristics that surrounded pioneering efforts early in the century are similar to those that have reinvigorated global micronutrient concerns in the last third of the century. Sound community-oriented scientific research revealed the true consequences of iodine, vitamin A and iron micronutrient malnutrition. Repositioning the image of these three micronutrients from that of a clinical problem affecting relatively few to one with consequences for individual, national and global development affecting many more, and disseminating these facts through high-level political forums incited attention, commitment and actions. As in the early days of McCollum and his contemporaries, current nutrition scientists played a significant role, interacting with politically oriented counterparts, in taking micronutrient research to reality for improving health and quality of life globally. Lessons learned from the process, both past and present, should guide future nutrition-oriented endeavours in moving research to reality for betterment of global community health.