Proteins in the blood of Terena Indians of Mato Grosso do Sul (State) – Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian aborigine’s participation in a wider social-economic space implies giving changes in their nourishment patterns. In spite of the existence of the special programmers providing assistance, a general idea about these populations as abandoned and economically disadvantaged still persists in public opinion. Blood proteins are among the biochemical markers which allow an objective evaluation of the health status of an individual. The purpose of the present study was to determine proteins in the blood of 285 healthy Terena Indians inhabiting the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The average concentrations in serum of men and women respectively were 7,48 (±046) and 7,42 (±0,58) g/dl of total proteins and 4,33 g/dl (±0,36) e 4,17 g/dl (±0,37) of albumin. It is concluded that from the biochemical point of view Terena Indians show no abnormalities in protein metabolism and cannot be considered as a sub nourished group.