Nutritional Diseases

Introduction:
Nutritional disease, any of the nutrient-related diseases and conditions that cause illness
in humans. They may include deficiencies or excesses in the diet, obesity and eating disorders,
and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes
mellitus. Nutritional diseases also include developmental abnormalities that can be prevented
by diet, hereditary metabolic disorders that respond to dietary treatment, the interaction of
foods and nutrients with drugs, food allergies and intolerances, and potential hazards in the
food supply. Nutritional diseases include a wide spectrum of conditions, including generalized
undernutrition, overnutrition leading to obesity, the eating disorders and diseases where
nutrition has a role in the aetiology. Globally, both undernutrition and obesity are important
public health problems. The treatment of undernutrition is often complicated by factors such
as war, famine and infectious diseases.

Common types and examples:

1.Vitamin A deficiency disease
Vitamin A deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Dry and scaly skin

• Dry eyes
• A hazy cornea
• Inflamed eyes
• Night blindness

2. Vitamin B-complex deficiency disease

B-complex is a combination of B vitamins. A deficiency in any of these can cause problems.
A deficiency of vitamin B1 or thiamin causes beriberi. Beriberi is characterized by impaired
sensory, reflex, and motor functions. It may also lead to congestive heart failure, causing edema
in the lower limbs, and in certain cases, even death. Individuals who consume alcohol, have
diabetes, older adults, and those who have undergone bariatric surgery are at a higher risk.
A deficiency of vitamin B3 or niacin causes pellagra. This condition is characterized by
diarrhea, dementia and sun-sensitive dermatitis. If left untreated, pellagra can lead to death.
A deficiency of vitamin B7 or biotin causes thinning of hair and rashes around the eyes, nose
and mouth. It may also cause skin infections and, in rare cases, seizures.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) can cause tiredness, loss of appetite, weight
loss, constipation and nerve issues. Other symptoms can include depression and confusion.
Folate is another B-complex vitamin whose deficiency can cause serious complications.
Symptoms include weakness, difficulty in concentrating, and shortness of breath. It can
also lead to gastrointestinal issues.
3. Vitamin C deficiency disease
Vitamin C deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Impaired wound healing
• Gingivitis
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Scurvy (characterized by bleeding gums and opening of previously healed wounds)

4. Vitamin D deficiency disease (Rickets and Osteomalacia)

Vitamin D deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Bone pain
• Generalized weakness
• Myalgia (pain in a group of muscles)

5. Iron Deficiency (Causes Anemia)

Iron deficiency anemia including the following symptoms:
• Pale skin
• Extreme fatigue
• Brittle nails
• Chest pain and shortness of breath (accompanied by fast heartbeat)
• Cold hands and feet
• Tongue inflammation
• Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances like ice or dirt
• Headache and dizziness

6. Iodine deficiency disease

Iodine deficiency including the following symptoms:
• Goiter, characterizing an enlarged thyroid gland
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Puffy face
• Muscle weakness
• Dry skin
 • Muscle aches and tenderness
• Thinning hair
• Depression
• Impaired memory
• Weight gain
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Elevated blood cholesterol levels

7. Calcium deficiency disease (Hypocalcemia)

Calcium deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Brittle nails
• Impaired concentration
• Poor memory
• Dry skin
• Coarse hair
• Alopecia
• Muscle cramps and muscle weakness.

8. Magnesium deficiency disease (Hypomagnesemia)

Magnesium deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Numbness
• Seizures
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Tingling
 • Muscle cramps

9. Zinc Deficiency disease

Zinc deficiency including the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Weakened immune system
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Slow wound healing
• Unexplained weight loss

Causes and treatments:

Lack of adequate dietary intake is the biggest cause of vitamin A deficiency. People in locations
where rice is the staple food can also experience symptoms given that rice is devoid of beta-
carotene. Certain health conditions like celiac disease, chronic diarrhea, cystic fibrosis, and
cirrhosis can interfere with the absorption of vitamin A in the body.

Oral vitamin A could be a promising way of treating the deficiency, especially if the symptoms
are severe or malabsorption is the cause. These may also include beta-carotene supplements.
However, do keep in mind that beta-carotene supplements have been associated with an
increased risk of certain cancers.

Individuals who consume alcohol, have diabetes, older adults, and those who have undergone
bariatric surgery are at a higher risk.
Individuals with alcohol use disorder and pregnant women are at risk of folate deficiency.

The primary cause of scurvy is the inadequate intake of vitamin C. Individuals at high risk
include people who addicted to alcohol and smoking, those on a poor diet, and those having
severe mental illness. Even people undergoing dialysis are at risk as vitamin C is lost in the
treatment process.

Treatment usually involves a heavy dosage of vitamin C regularly. Replenishing the diet with
foods rich in vitamin C also helps. A medium orange contains about 70 mg of the vitamin,
meeting 117% of the daily requirement. Other sources include broccoli, potatoes, and
cauliflower.

The Vitamin D deficiency is caused by several reasons, which can also be the risk factors.
Some of these include limited exposure to sunlight, having dark skin or having inflammatory
bowel disease or other conditions that cause malabsorption of the nutrient.
Treatment for vitamin D deficiency may include oral supplementation of 50,000 IU of vitamin
D2 per week for eight weeks. Adding the right foods to the diet is the best way to prevent
vitamin D deficiency.

Blood loss is one major cause of the iron deficiency. Women are at a higher risk as they lose
blood during menstruation. Even a lack of iron in the diet can lead to this deficiency.

The best modes of treatment include taking iron supplements and enriching your diet with
foods rich in iron. Other methods include intravenous iron or red blood cell transfusions, which
are used during severe cases of iron deficiency anemia.

Iodine deficiency happens when anyone don’t consume enough iodine through the diet.
Women are more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men. Other individuals who are more
likely to develop this condition include those who had a thyroid problem before, those who had
undergone surgery to correct their thyroid problem, and those with a family history of thyroid
disease.

The best way to prevent iodine deficiency is to consume foods rich in the nutrient. On a massive
scale, salt and bread have been fortified with iodine.

Hypocalcemia may be caused by several factors. These include inadequate calcium in the diet,
lack of sunlight exposure, chronic kidney disease, liver disease or liver cirrhosis, and reduced
intestinal absorption of calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to hypocalcemia.
Individuals at risk of calcium deficiency include postmenopausal women, individuals with
lactose intolerance, and vegetarians.

Treatment for hypocalcemia usually involves oral calcium and vitamin D in the form of
supplements.

The primary cause of magnesium is dietary inadequacy. Malabsorption could also be another
cause. Excess alcohol intake and prolonged diarrhea may also cause magnesium deficiency.

Including foods rich in magnesium in your diet is the best way to prevent this deficiency. Nuts
are among the richest sources of magnesium.

Alcoholism is one major cause of zinc deficiency. Other causes include chronic kidney disease,
diabetes, liver or pancreas disorders, and sickle cell disease.

Treatment for zinc deficiency may involve the intake of zinc supplements. Intake of foods rich
in zinc works wonderfully well too.
Current research and advancements:

Researchers explore the relationship between vitamin D levels and T. gondii infection:
Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. Vitamin D deficiency is associated
with high susceptibility to infections. The authors of this article explore the relationship
between vitamin D levels and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection, on the basis of a
nationally representative database.
The study data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES)
2001-2004. Participants underwent both Toxoplasma IgG antibody testing and serum vitamin
D testing. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level <20 ng/ml.
Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching were used to adjust for potential
confounders.
High consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer
in men:
For many Americans, the convenience of pre-cooked and instant meals may make it easy to
overlook the less-than-ideal nutritional information, but a team led by researchers at Tufts
University and Harvard University hope that will change after recently discovering a link
between the high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of colorectal
cancer. In a study published Aug. 31 in The BMJ, researchers found that men who consumed
high rates of ultra-processed foods were at 29% higher risk for developing colorectal cancer-
;the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States-;than men who consumed much smaller
amounts. They did not find the same association in women.
Neonatal ketone body plays key role in primordial follicle pool formation and regulates
ovarian aging:
Premature ovarian aging (POA) refers to an early decline in ovarian function; it is the main
cause of infertility in elder women and is characterized by a markedly reduced ovarian
reservoir. An interesting review summarized that women born in famine have a significantly
earlier menopausal age, which indicates that the neonatal nutrition condition is important to
determine follicular reserve and the age of natural menopause. However, the relationship
between nutritional conditions during early-life and female reproductive function in adulthood,
as well as the specific mechanism, is largely unknown.
First patient version of the ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention
unveiled:
The first patient version of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on
cardiovascular disease prevention are unveiled today at ESC Congress 2022. The document is
based on the longer version aimed at health professionals. It outlines how the likelihood of
having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years is determined, how to change lifestyle habits
to reduce risk, and what treatments may be needed according to current risk level.
Vitamin D promising for depression, study says:
An extensive meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D supplementation may alleviate depressive
symptoms in adults with depression. Conducted by an international team of researchers, the
meta-analysis includes dozens of studies from around the world.
Depressive symptoms cause a significant disease burden worldwide. The therapeutic efficacy
of current antidepressants is often insufficient, which is why further ways to alleviate the
symptoms of depression have been sought, for example, from nutritional research.
Bringing down high salt intake could result in large reductions in cardiovascular disease:
A modest cut of just 1 g in daily salt intake could ward off nearly 9 million cases of heart
disease and strokes and save 4 million lives by 2030, suggest the estimates of a modeling study
published in the open access journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
Salt intake in China is one of the highest in the world, averaging 11 g/day ;over twice the
amount recommended by the Chinese government. High salt intake drives up blood pressure
and therefore the risk of cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 40% of all deaths in China
every year.

Conclusion:
The systematic review focused on nutritional diseases, nutrient toxicities, nutrients deficiency
diseases and the diets for health living. Nutritional diseases include obesity and eating disorders
and chronic diseases such as protein-energy malnutrition (Kwashiorkor and marasmus),
cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cancer (colorectal cancer, prostate
cancer, breast cancer), diabetes mellitus, dental caries. Others are gastroesophageal reflux
disease, heartburn and peptic ulcer, diverticulitis (diverticulosis), constipation, diarrhea, Crohn
disease (regional ileitis), ulcerative colitis etc. Nutritional diseases also include some
developmental abnormalities which can be prevented by diet, hereditary metabolic disorders
which respond to dietary treatment, food allergies and intolerances, potential hazards in the
food supply and the interactions of foods and nutrients with drugs. They can also be caused or
worsened when illnesses (such as malaria, diarrhea) cause rapid loss of nutrients through vomit
or feces. Dehydration (Water deficiency) may develop if consumption of water fails to satisfy
thirst. Because of interactions, high intake of one mineral salt may adversely affect the
absorption or the utilization of another. The acute effects of large alcohol intake are well
known; a mental impairment starts when blood concentration of alcohol is approximately
0.05%. Women who drink during pregnancy stand the risks of physical and mental damage to
their babies (known as fetal alcohol syndrome). Many herbal products show sufficient potential
in preventing and treating diseases that they are being tested in scientific studies including
clinical and subclinical trials. Maintaining a healthy diet, paleolithic diet, very low
carbohydrate diet, low-fat diet, low-calorie diet, raw foodism and ketogenic diet in addition to
proper food hygiene can help prevent and treat nutritional diseases, food allergies, food
intolerance and nutrient toxicities.
Reference:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nutritional_diseases
2. https://www.britannica.com/science/nutritional-disease
3. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/diseases-caused-by-nutritional-deficiency
4. https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/nutritional-disorders
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338389172
6. https://www.news-medical.net
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles