Tag: Dietary deficiency

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 insufficiency is more prevalent than full deficiency, affecting approximately 12.5% of US adults. A key condition that results from a deficiency of cyanocobalamin, the synthetic form of vitamin B12, is a type of megaloblastic anemia known as pernicious anemia.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition in all its forms affects billions of people worldwide. While many refer to it as a simple food deficiency, the medical and public health communities use the broader and more accurate term, malnutrition, to describe a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of a person's nutrient intake.

According to the World Health Organization, every country worldwide is affected by at least one form of malnutrition. The broader term for what is a lack of essential nutrients called is malnutrition, which encompasses deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's nutrient intake.

According to the World Health Organization, over 2 billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, a form of dietary deficiency. A dietary deficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient intake of one or more essential nutrients, leading to impaired bodily functions and a range of health issues. This can result from poor dietary choices, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors, impacting individuals across all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.

In 1912, Polish biochemist Casimir Funk coined the term "vitamine" from the Latin word "vita" (life) and "amine" (a nitrogen-containing compound). This term marked a critical turning point in nutritional science, establishing the concept that certain life-sustaining substances were essential for preventing deficiency diseases. However, the name would soon be modified to reflect a more accurate chemical understanding.

Historically, sailors on long sea voyages would turn to fresh pineapples, when available, to prevent the onset of scurvy. The underlying reason for this traditional practice is the fruit's rich supply of vitamin C, a crucial micronutrient the human body cannot produce on its own.

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency affects over one billion people, with women being particularly susceptible due to factors like menstruation and pregnancy. When a balanced diet is not maintained, it's common for certain nutrient gaps to appear, but identifying them can be difficult without knowing the signs.

Research consistently shows that a diet low in antioxidants can increase the risk of developing cataracts. This means that knowing what dietary deficiency causes cataracts is crucial for maintaining long-term eye health and potentially slowing down the progression of this common age-related condition.

Pernicious anemia, a condition once considered deadly, is caused by a critical deficiency related to vitamin B12 absorption. Specifically, the primary deficiency is the lack of a protein called intrinsic factor, which is necessary for the body to absorb vitamin B12 from food. This autoimmune-driven malabsorption leads to a severe vitamin B12 deficiency over time.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition encompasses a variety of conditions caused by deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s energy and/or nutrient intake. Undernutrition, often simply called malnutrition, is the most commonly recognized form, characterized by a lack of essential nutrients and calories. However, other specific terms describe different manifestations of this complex health issue.