NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

The body needs many different vitamins and minerals that are crucial for both development and preventing disease. These vitamins and minerals are often referred to as micronutrients. They aren’t produced naturally in the body so you have to get them from your diet.

Nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition are the result when your  body is not getting enough of the nutrients it needs. A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body doesn’t absorb the necessary amount of a nutrient. Deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems. These can include problems of digestion, skin problems, stunted or defective bone growth, and even dementia.

Children are more at risk for serious complications than adults. You can prevent nutritional deficiencies by making sure you get enough nutrients from your diet. You should talk to your doctor and dietitian to help make any decisions on dietary changes and before taking any nutritional supplements.

Some common types of nutritional deficiencies include:

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiency worldwide. This deficiency can lead to anemiaa blood disorder that causes fatigue, weakness, and a variety of other symptoms

Iron is responsible for making healthy red blood cells and are found in foods such as dark leafy greens, red meat, and egg yolks. If you lack enough iron, your red blood cells will be smaller and paler. They are also less efficient at delivering oxygen to your tissues and organs.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is a well known nutrient responsible for the eye functioning and in the reproductive health of men and women. It also plays a part in strengthening the immune system against infections. According to the WHO,  the leading cause of preventable blindness in children is the lack of vitamin A. Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin A have higher maternal mortality rates as well.

For newborn babies, the best source of vitamin A is breast milk. For everyone else, it’s important to eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin A. These include: milk; eggs; green vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and spinach; orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin; reddish yellow fruits, like apricots, papaya, and peaches

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine) Deficiency

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine) Deficiency is another common nutritional deficiency. Thiamine is an important part of your nervous system. It also helps your body turn carbohydrates into energy as part of your metabolism. Thiamine deficiency is a common cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Deficient thiamine in your body can result in weight loss and fatigue, as well as some cognitive symptoms such as confusion and short-term memory loss. It can also lead to nerve and muscle damage and can affect the heart. Alcohol reduces the absorption of thiamine. The body’s ability to store thiamine in the liver and the body’s ability to convert thiamine to a usable form.

Many breakfast cereals and grain products are fortified with thiamine. Pork is also a good source of the vitamin B-1

Vitamin B-3 (Niacin) Deficiency

Vitamin B-3 or niacin is another mineral that helps the body to convert food into energy. Pellagra is a result of  severe deficiency of niacin. Niacin is found in most proteins. In this case, this condition is rare in meat eating communities. Symptoms of pellagra include diarrhea, dementia, and skin problems. You can usually treat it with a balanced diet and vitamin B-3 supplements.

Vitamin B-9 (Folate) Deficiency

Vitamin B-9 is often referred to as folate. This folic acid is the synthetic form found in supplements or fortified foods. It helps the body create red blood cells and produce DNA. It also play a role in brain development and nervous system functioning.

Folate is also important for fetal development. It plays a crucial role in the formation of a developing child’s brain and spinal cord. Deficiency of Folate can lead to severe birth defects, growth problems, or anemia.

You can find folate in foods including: beans and lentils; citrus fruits; leafy green vegetables; asparagus; meats such as poultry and pork; shellfish; fortified grain products

Vitamin D Deficiency

Healthy bones requires Vitamin D. It also helps in maintaining the bodys’ right levels of calcium in order to regulate the development of teeth and bones. A lack of this nutrient can lead to stunted or defective bone growth. Lack of calcium and vitamin D can lead Osteoporosis,porous and fragile bones that break very easily.

Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods. Foods with vitamin D include fish liver oils, fatty fish, mushrooms, egg yolks and liver

Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is for stronger teeth and bones. It also helps your heart, nerves, and muscles to function well. A calcium deficiency doesn’t show symptoms right away, but it can lead to serious health problems later on. If you are not consuming enough calcium, your body will use the calcium from your bones instead that leads to bone loss.

Calcium deficiencies resulted to low bone mass, weakening of bones due to osteoporosis, convulsions, and abnormal heart rhythms. They can even be life-threatening. Women experience greater bone loss at their postmenopausal due to the changing of hormones. They also have more trouble absorbing calcium at this stage.

The best sources of calcium are dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-set tofu, and small fish with bones. Vegetables like kale and broccoli also have calcium, and many cereals and grains are calcium-fortified.

What Are the Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies?

The symptoms depends upon the lacking nutrient of the body. However, there are some general symptoms you might experience, including:

  • pallor (pale skin)
  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual food cravings
  • hair loss
  • periods of lightheadedness
  • constipation
  • sleepiness
  • heart palpitations
  • feeling faint or fainting
  • depression
  • tingling and numbness of the joints
  • menstrual issues (such as missed periods or very heavy cycles)
  • poor concentration

You may display all of these symptoms or only groups of them. Most people adapt to the symptoms that cause the condition to go undiagnosed. You should schedule a checkup with your doctor if you experience prolonged periods of fatigue, weakness, or poor concentration. These symptoms could be a sign of the beginning of a serious deficiency.

DIAGNOSIS

You have to discuss your diet and eating habits with your doctor so he/she will know if you have possible nutritional deficiency. They will ask what symptoms you’re experiencing. Make sure to mention if you have suffered from any periods of constipation or diarrhea, or if blood has been present in your stool.

Your nutritional deficiency may be diagnosed during routine blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC). Anemia is often diagnosed through this process.

 

TREATMENT

The treatment for a nutritional deficiency varies, depending upon the type and the severity of the deficiency. Your doctor will find out how severe the deficiency is, as well as the likelihood of long-term problems caused by the lack of nutrients. You may undergo further testing to see if there is any other damage before deciding on a treatment plan. Symptoms usually fade when you already get supplemented or follow the correct diet.

You are what you eat. Improving one’s diet is the best treatment for nutritional deficiency most especially minor ones. For example, anemia sufferers should include more meat, eggs, poultry, vegetables, and cereals.

If your deficiency is more severe your doctor may refer you to a dietitian. They may recommend keeping a food diary for a few weeks.

You should meet with the dietitian regularly until blood test have confirm that you’re no longer deficient.

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