Avoiding Nutrient Deficiencies & Athlete Information

For every average person, certain nutrients are essential for adequate health and performance. Failure to consume adequate amounts of these essential nutrients, which include 13 vitamins, 22 minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids and, of course, water--results in consequences that range from low energy to death, depending on the specific nutrient, the individual and the severity and duration of the deficiency.

Athletes must pay extra attention to their nutrient intake; runners in particular. It is the popular belief that athletes probably do need slightly more nutrients than non-athletes, but that these nutrients are obtained automatically in the course of eating the extra calories that are required to fuel workouts, assuming a balanced, healthy diet.

Malnutrition

 

Malnutrition is the condition that results from eating a diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess or in the wrong proportions. A number of different nutrition deficiencies may arise, depending on which nutrients are under or overabundant in the diet. Malnutrition present in the form of under-nutrition is the most common one to have. This is caused by a diet lacking the right amount of calories and protein in food, and food of poor quality.

Top 10 Nutritional Deficiencies

10. Beriberi - a disease whose symptoms include weight loss, body weakness and pain, brain damage, irregular heart rate, heart failure, and death if left untreated and is a vitamin B1 deficiency

9. Pellagra -  diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and finally death and is a vitamin B3 deficiency

8. Biotin Deficiency (Vitamin B7) - causes rashes, hair loss, anaemia, and mental conditions including hallucinations, drowsiness, and depression

7. Scurvy - causes lethargy, skin spots, bleeding gums, loss of teeth, fever, and death and is a vitamin C deficiency

6. Rickets -  causes muscles and bones to become soft, which can cause permanent deformities in children and is a lack of vitamin D or of calcium

5. Ariboflavinosis - causes distinctive bright pink tongues, although other symptoms are cracked lips, throat swelling, bloodshot eyes, and low red blood cell count. Ultimately it can cause comas and death and is caused by a vitamin B2 deficiency

4. Vitamin K deficiency - In severe cases it causes uncontrolled bleeding and underdeveloped faces and bones

3. Hypocobalaminemia - causes gradual deterioration of the spinal cord and very gradual brain deterioration, resulting in sensory or motor deficiencies. Mental disorders from the gradual brain damage begin as fatigue, irritability, depression, or bad memory and is a vitamin B12 deficiency

2. Paraesthesia - causes the sensation we feel as ‘pins and needles’ or a limb ‘falling asleep’ and is a vitamin B5 deficiency

1. Night Blindness - vitamin A deficiency - high doses can be found in carrots and liver

What Are Nutritional Deficiencies?

Nutritional deficiencies occur when a person's nutrient intake consistently falls below the recommended requirement. Nutritional diseases are commonly associated with chronic malnutrition. About 1,200 million, or 19% of adolescents suffer from poor nutrition that hurts their development and growth. Additionally, conditions such as obesity from overeating can also cause, or contribute to, serious health problems. Excessive intake of some nutrients can also cause acute poisoning. Nutritional deficiencies often lead to a wide array of diseases, particularly if left untreated.