Category: Nutritional deficiencies

According to a 2014 study published in *Medical Hypotheses*, individuals with iron deficiency anemia who chewed ice showed significantly improved response times on neuropsychological tests compared to non-anemic controls. This unusual compulsion, known as pagophagia, is most often a direct symptom of iron deficiency anemia.

Over 20% of older adults experience dizziness upon standing, a symptom often linked to a condition called orthostatic hypotension. However, specific nutritional issues, such as iron deficiency anemia, are a major underlying factor that causes dizziness when getting up.

First described in 1903, Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare neurological disorder often linked to chronic alcoholism and severe malnutrition. This devastating condition is primarily driven by a significant deficiency in B-complex vitamins, particularly thiamine, leading to progressive demyelination and necrosis of the brain's corpus callosum.

Studies suggest that pica, the compulsive eating of non-food items, affects a significant number of people, including up to 80% of pregnant women at some level. For those who specifically experience a desire to consume ash, it is a serious symptom that begs the question: what does it mean if you crave ash, and what should you do about it?

Reports indicate a recent increase in cases of scurvy, especially in children with selective diets. Understanding what are the symptoms of scurvy failure to thrive is crucial for early detection and intervention in vulnerable infants and children.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 is vital for the synthesis of DNA, and its deficiency can lead to pancytopenia, a condition affecting multiple blood cell lines. This confirms that, in cases of severe deficiency, **vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neutropenia**, a reduction in the body's infection-fighting neutrophils.

According to the World Health Organization, dental caries remains one of the most prevalent diseases globally. While poor hygiene is a major factor, a lesser-known cause is a specific deficiency disease that attacks the teeth, compromising enamel and gum health through nutritional shortcomings.

While the connection might not be direct, a 2018 study found that patients with iron deficiency anemia reported significantly higher rates of bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms than healthy control groups. This suggests that while iron deficiency itself may not be the direct cause, it is often a co-existing symptom of underlying gut health problems that can cause bloating.

Historically, untreated pellagra resulted in a significant mortality rate over several years, highlighting the critical importance of understanding its progressive stages. This systemic disease, caused by a severe deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), affects the entire body and follows a predictable, escalating course if not addressed.

According to a 2010 CDC report, the incidence of dental fluorosis, a common cause of white spots, increased significantly among school-aged children in the U.S.. This highlights that while nutritional factors play a role, the answer to which deficiency causes white spots on teeth is complex, often involving mineral loss from various sources.