The body is fuelled by nutrients obtained through food and drink. Nutrients that are vital for the body include, but are not limited to, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Nutritional disorders occur when a person’s diet does not contain the proper amount of nutrients or when a person is unable to absorb certain nutrients from food and drink. Several nutritional disorders are shown below:
Each nutritional disorder has its own set of distinctive symptoms. For example, beriberi is a disorder that results from a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Symptoms include difficulty walking and loss of feeling in the hands and/or feet. Meanwhile, scurvy is a disorder that results from a vitamin C deficiency. Symptoms include bleeding gums and blue or red spots on the skin.
There are a handful of symptoms that are shared by many nutritional disorders. They include:
The most common causes for nutritional disorders are the following:
Famine and a lack of access to a variety of foods are major problems affecting millions of people across the world. They are the result of natural disasters, wars and conflict, displacement, and poverty.
Other causes for nutritional disorders are shown below:
A nutritional disorder is often diagnosed after conducting a physical exam and reviewing all symptoms. Blood and urine tests are used to confirm a diagnosis.
The treatment for nutritional disorders can include nutritional supplements, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes. For example, beriberi is a nutritional disorder characterized by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Patients are often treated with thiamine supplements. In addition, the patients’ diets will be adjusted to include foods rich in thiamine (beans, legumes, seeds, and nuts). If patients abuse alcohol, they will be advised to stop drinking since alcoholism can lead to thiamine deficiency.
On a large scale, nutritional disorders can be prevented by providing the following:
On a small scale, one can prevent nutritional disorders for themselves by maintaining a well-balanced diet containing whole grains, legumes, dairy, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.