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, such as problems of digestion, skin problems, stunted or defective bone growth, and even dementia. Nutrient deficiencies can be sneaky, too. Unless you are seriously deficient for some time, you may notice no symptoms at all, leading you to believe (falsely) that your body is getting all the nutrition you need. More often, however, such deficiencies do cause symptoms, which can range from minor to severe. Unless you know what to look for, however, you’re likely to mistake the signs for something else.
Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to other diseases. “For example, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies can cause osteopenia or osteoporosis, two conditions marked by brittle bones,” says Kate Patton, MEd, RD, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “And inadequate iron can cause anemia, which zaps your energy. Nutrient deficiencies alter bodily functions and processes at the most basic cellular level,” says Tricia L. Psota, Ph.D., RDN, president-elect of the DC Metro Area Dietetic Association. “These processes include water balance, enzyme function, nerve signaling, digestion, and metabolism. Resolving these deficiencies is important for optimal growth, development, and function”.
Related Journals of Nutritient Deficiencies
Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy, Animal Nutrition, Maternal & Pediatric Nutrition, Food & Nutritional Disorders, Nutrition & Food Science, Probiotics & Health, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Nutrition, Metabolism and Metabolic Care, Elephant Journal