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Food deficiency in a person when they don't get sufficient nutrients in their diet. Food helps in our survival. The food that we eat makes up our diet. The human diet and the food we eat are mainly classified into various kinds of nutritional groups. These groups are minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, and water. A healthy intake of all these nutrients in a sufficient amount is vital for our growth and good health. Around 50 percent of the nutritional items of food are included in these groups. They help in the proper functioning of the body and facilitate our growth. In this article, we will have a look at food deficiency and the various diseases associated with it.
Also Read: Nutrition in Human Beings
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What is food deficiency?
Mainly, food deficiency is caused in an individual when they do not get the required amount of nutrients that they need in their daily diet. The deficiency of these nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, and minerals causes many dietary deficiency diseases. Each and every person has varying nutritional needs as per their body composition. The required level of nutrition in a person depends on multiple factors which are as follows:
- The age of a person
- A person's overall health-related condition
- The gender of a person
Nutrients in our diet
The diseases related to food deficiency mainly occur in the undeveloped parts and in developing countries mainly. This is because, in these parts of the world, the citizens are too poor to buy food that satisfies their nutritional requirements. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies mainly arise due to a daily diet that is deficient in the required nutrients such as milk, fruit, vegetables, cereals, many milk products, pulses, etc.
A sufficient balance between all these nutrients in the human body is vital for the development and growth of the human body and also builds up the immunity of a the person thereby preventing many diseases. The essential diet nutrients comprise macronutrients as well as micronutrients.
The group of nutrients that are required in a little amount in our body are known as micronutrients. These nutrients are not naturally produced by the human body. Hence people often take supplements to satisfy their nutrient needs. However, the improper supplements of these micronutrients can lead to many diseases due to their deficiency.
Sources of food nutrients
Nutritional Deficiency Disorders
- The deficiency of various nutrients in our body causes various nutritional deficiencies. For instance, the deficiency of carbohydrates includes ketosis that leads to an excessive protein breakdown that causes a decrease in the energy level, fatigue, a reduced intake of fiber in the human body. The symptoms of carbohydrate deficiency are headache, fruity-smelling breath, and a dry mouth.
- The deficiency of fat leads to diseases that are associated with the deficiency of essential fatty acids. This is a rare disorder and the symptoms of the same include intellectual disability, dermatitis, thrombocytopenia, and alopecia.
- In the same way, the disease that is caused due to a deficiency of protein is known as Kwashiorkor. This is a serious kind of malnutrition and is caused by a lack of protein which is caused due to an osmotic imbalance that occurs in the gastrointestinal system. This leads to a swelling in the gut area and also the retention of water that is known as edema.
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Essential nutrients and Food deficiency
The essential nutrients for our body, its food sources, and the diseases related to its deficiency are tabulated as below:
| Nutrients | Sources of Nutrients | Food Deficiency Diseases | Symptoms of Food Deficiency Diseases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Almonds, blackberries, dates egg, milk, sesame seeds, soybeans, wheat, pomegranate, etc. | Cataracts, Changes in the brain, muscle spasms, low bone density, Hypocalcemia, osteoporosis, and brittle bones | Weaker bones Pain in various body parts |
| Carbohydrates | Cereal, legumes, whole grains, bread, potatoes, cheese, pasta, etc. | Ketoacidosis and Hypoglycemia | For ketoacidosis disorder, the symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. For hypoglycemia disorder, the symptoms include shakiness, a fast or an irregular heartbeat, anxiety, pale skin, fatigue, irritability, hunger, etc. |
| Iodine | Bread, Dairy products, eggs, seaweed, nuts, and iodized table salt | Anaemia, Goiter, Hypothyroidism | For goiter, the symptoms are swelling in the base of the neck, a tight constricted feeling in the throat, hoarseness, coughing, difficulty in swallowing, and difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include increases sensitivity to cold, Fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, constipation. |
| Fats | Butter, Avocados, Cheese, Ghee, dark chocolate, Chia seeds, fatty fish, nuts, etc. | Alopecia, Scaly dermatitis, intellectual disability in children, thrombocytopenia | Dull skin Patchy and scaly skin |
| Proteins | Almonds, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, seafood, pulses, beans, milk, oats, and other dairy products, etc. | Marasmus and Kwashiorkor | Marasmus: Dehydration, weight loss, stomach shrinkage, chronic diarrhea. Kwashiorkor: regular infections, long-lasting or serious infections, loss of muscle mass, and an enlarged tummy ("potbelly") |
| Sodium | Onions, milk, eggs, broccoli, fresh fruits, sweet potato, pumpkin seeds, etc. | Coma, seizures, Hyponatremia | Confusion, restlessness, Headache, vomiting, nausea |
| Phosphorus | Milk, Pomegranate, yogurt, Dates, soy products, tuna, oats, beans, passion fruits, whole grain food products, potatoes, beef, peas, etc | Weak bones and muscles, Rickets in children, joint pains, osteomalacia in adults, nervous system disorders, obesity, Hypophosphatemia, etc. | Muscle weakness, Bone pain |
| Vitamin A- Retinol | Broccoli, Fruits, milk, oranges, tomatoes, yellow fruits, carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts, watermelon, ripe yellow fruits, fruits, milk, guava, etc. | Blindness, keratomalacia, and Hyperkeratosis | Hyperkeratosis leads to thickened skin, blisters, corns, calluses. This disorder also affects eyes leading to blurred and low visibility. |
| Vitamin B1- Thiamine | Corn, dates, milk, black beans, peas, fresh fruits, wheat, cashew nuts, potatoes | Beriberi | Mental cloudiness or mental confusion, loss of feeling sensation in feet and hands, pain, difficulty in walking, loss of muscle function, etc |
| Vitamin B2- Riboflavin | Banana, dates, grapes, popcorn, pumpkin, mushrooms, mangoes, pumpkin, soybeans, etc. | Slow growth and sore eyes | Pain in eyes |
| Vitamin B3- Niacin | Eggs, fish, meat, guava, milk products, mushroom, cereals, etc. | Pellagra | Pain in abdomen, weakness, diarrhea, delusions, inflamed mucous membrane |
| Vitamin C | Broccoli, fresh fruits, goat, chestnuts, milk, etc. | Gum bleeding and scurvy | Bulging eyes, Swollen gums, loose teeth, etc. |
| Vitamin D | Egg, fish, liver, cod, beef, chicken breast, etc. | Osteomalacia and Rickets | Weak bones |
| Vitamin E | Seeds, nuts, milk, potatoes, pumpkin, guava, mango, etc. | Heart problems, Sterility, and Hemolysis | Weakness, fever, abnormal lack of color of the skin or paleness, yellowish skin, dark colored urine |
| Vitamin K | Beef, chestnuts, Broccoli, grapes, nuts Tomatoes, Cashew Nuts, mangoes, lamb, etc. | Hemorrhage | Weakness in legs or arms, lethargy, sudden and severe headache, changes in vision, seizures, etc |
Things to Remember
- Food deficiency in a person when they don't get sufficient nutrients in their diet.
- The human diet and the food we eat are mainly classified into various kinds of nutritional groups.
- These groups are minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, and water.
- The deficiency of these nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, and minerals causes many dietary deficiency diseases.
- The deficiency of carbohydrates includes ketosis that leads to an excessive protein breakdown that causes a decrease in the energy level.
- A sufficient balance between all these nutrients in the human body is vital for the development and growth of the human body and also builds up the immunity of a person thereby preventing many diseases.
- Kwashiorkor is caused by a deficiency of protein in the body. This is a serious kind of malnutrition and is caused by a lack of protein which is caused due to an osmotic imbalance that occurs in the gastrointestinal system.
Sample Questions
Ques. How can food deficiency diseases be prevented in humans? (3 marks)
Ans. The diseases that are caused due to deficiency of essential nutrients in the human body are known as deficiency diseases. The essential nutrients include proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals. These all should be present in a balanced amount in the human diet. In case any disorders or deficiency diseases are identified, one should directly go to the doctor and start taking the right supplements and diets that are required to treat the disease. The nutritional requirements of a person mainly depend on a person’s age, sex, height, and weight.
Ques. List down the diseases that are caused as a result of deficiency of vitamins. (3 marks)
Ans. Vitamins help in the protection of our teeth, bones, gums, and our eyes. It helps our body to stay strong and therefore develop resistance towards various diseases. However, the deficiency of vitamins leads to certain diseases in our bodies. Some of these are:
- Beri Beri
- Rickets
- Scurvy
- Pellagra
Ques. State the uses for Calcium, Carbohydrates, Vitamin A, and Proteins. (3 marks)
Ans. The uses of these nutrients are as follows:
- Calcium is required for maintaining the health of bones.
- Carbohydrates are mainly responsible for giving energy to the human body.
- Vitamin A is required for healthy eyesight.
- Proteins are the nutrients that are mainly required for the maintenance and growth of the body.
Ques. What are some deficiency disorders? (3 marks)
Ans. Some of the disorders caused by deficiency of the essential nutrients in our human body are as follows:
- The deficiency of Vitamin A in our daily diet causes Night Blindness.
- The deficiency of Vitamin D in our diet causes rickets.
- Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C.
- The beriberi disorder is a result of deficiency of Vitamin B1.
Ques. Define nutrients. Name some of the essential nutrients for the human body. (3 marks)
Ans. Nutrients refer to the components of food and our diet which are required by our body in a specific amount for its growth and development. The major essential nutrients are as follows:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Fats
Ques. What are deficiency diseases? (2 marks)
Ans. When a person intakes food that is constantly low in a particular type of nutrients that are necessary for the human body, the person might suffer from some disorders which are known as deficiency diseases.
Ques. What are the functions of the various types of nutrients? (5 marks)
Ans. The various types of nutrients in the human diet are:
- Carbohydrates: The carbohydrates present in the human diet are mainly responsible for providing energy to the human body.
- Proteins: Proteins are also known as body-building foods. They help in the formation of new body parts and also maintain their functioning. They are also responsible for repairing the same. Our muscles, enzymes, hair, skin, are all formed of the vital nutrient, proteins.
- Minerals: The nutrient minerals are vital for the proper and regular growth of our body. They also help us in maintaining good health.
- Vitamins: The vitamins help in safeguarding our body against various diseases. They help in the protection of bones, teeth, gums, and our eyes.
- Fats: The fats present in the food are responsible for giving energy to our body for day-to-day tasks. When consumed in the same amount, they provide much more energy than carbohydrates.
Ques. Name various types of Vitamins and the food sources that supply those. (5 marks)
Ans. The various types of Vitamins are:
- Vitamin A: The foods that supply Vitamin A are fish oil and milk.
- Vitamin B: Complex: Vitamin B is supplied by beans and the liver.
- Vitamin C: The source of Vitamin C are amla and orange or lime.
- Vitamin D: Fish and butter are the two sources of Vitamin D.
Other types of vitamins are Vitamin E and Vitamin K.
Ques. Why does the human body need nutritious food? (3 marks)
Ans. The human body requires food and nutrients present in the same for the growth and development of our body. This food eventually provides us with the energy to perform our daily activities efficiently. Healthy and balanced food also helps in making our immune system strong, thereby helping us develop resistance against many diseases. The essential nutrients for the human body such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fiber, minerals, and water are supplied to us by the food we eat. We need adequate nutrients in our body to lead a healthy life as all these nutrients have specific functions they perform and they function together to maintain the processes of our human body. It mainly provides us with energy to do all the tasks and processes.
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