Tag: nutrient deficiency diseases

Goitre is primarily caused by iodine deficiency, which is a mineral, not a vitamin. Keratomalacia and xerophthalmia are caused by vitamin A deficiency, and Addison's disease can be associated with various causes, but goitre is the classic example of a mineral-deficiency disease in this list.

1. Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the diet causes health problems.
2.  If an individual is not provided with enough nutrients, they are called undernutrition or undernourishment while too much is called overnutrition.
3.  If undernutrition occurs during pregnancy, or before two years of age, it may result in permanent problems with physical and mental development.
4. Symptoms that include: a short height, thin body, very poor energy levels, and swollen legs and abdomen. Hence, malnutrition has a tremendous effect on the health of an individual, especially in children.
   

Iron is an important requirement for the biosynthesis of hemoglobin in human body. Hence, iron deficiency will lead to deficiency of hemoglobin, i.e., reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of blood called as anemia. Hypochromic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia in which the red blood cells (erythrocytes) are paler than normal. It is important to note that iron is not readily absorbed in the body. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption in body. Hence, iron rich food like non vegetarian diet is usually served with salad sprinkled with lemon juice.