When you visit a nutritionist, he will advise you to eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet refers to a meal that has all the essential nutrients in it. The essential nutrients that the body needs include vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and some minerals like calcium and sodium.
When we lack any of the critical nutrients, then we are likely to suffer from some disease. Both the adults and children require proper nutrition if they are to be safe from the conditions that are caused by nutritional deficiency. This article highlights the various conditions that are caused by a lack of specific nutrients.
Rickets
We need vitamin D in our body since it helps in the absorption of calcium in our bodies. Calcium is critical as it helps us in the development of healthy bones and teeth. This is why it is always recommended to bask in the sun especially early in the morning and late in the evening.
When we lack vitamin D, it means that our body will not be able to absorb the critical minerals like potassium and calcium which may cause rickets. Rickets is characterized by the bone deformities, knocked-legs, bowed-legs, and soft and weak bones. Other than the sunlight, the foods that are rich in vitamin D are liver, oil, fortified dairy products, and fish.
Goiter
Iodine is a critical mineral that our body needs. When getting iodine when we eat food that has been cooked with iodinated salt. We need iodine in our bodies since it is vital for the normal cell metabolism. When we lack iodine in our diet, it means that our body will have a problem with the normal cell metabolism which will cause goiter. Goiter leads to the enlargement of the thyroid glands thus resulting in weak growth and development and hypothyroidism.
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is another disease that is caused because of the lack of specific nutrients. Kwashiorkor is caused when the body lacks protein and energy. This disease is common in the young children who are growing. Many parents usually give such children carbohydrates and forget to supplement their diet with proteins. Giving your children dairy products and fish will help you in fighting this nutritional disease.
Night Blindness
Night blindness is a disease that is caused as a result of a lack of specific nutrients. Night blindness is also referred to as xerophthalmia.
It is caused by keratinization and dryness of the epithelial tissue, weak growth, and the chronic eye infection. Lack of vitamin A causes night blindness. Eating lots of carrots could help you in fighting this disease.