The diseases which occur due to lack of nutrients in our diet for a long period of time are known as deficiency diseases.
Proteins
The deficiency of proteins in our diet causes stunted (slow) growth, swelling of hair, discoloration of hair, skin diseases and diarrhea.
Carbohydrates:
- If along with the carbohydrates, there is also a deficiency of carbohydrates for a long period of time, the growth of the person will entirely stop.
- He/she becomes very weak and thin and may not be able to even move.
All Deficiency Diseases - Full list
The deficiency of vitamins too causes a variety of diseases in the body some of which are listed below:
Vitamin/Mineral |
Deficiency Disease / Disorder |
Symptoms |
Vitamin A |
Loss of vision |
Poor vision, loss of vision in darkness (night), sometimes,c omplete loss of vision |
Vitamin B1 |
Beriberi |
Weak muscles and very little energy to work |
Vitamin C |
Scurvy |
Bleeding gums, wounds take longer time to heal |
Vitamin D |
Rickets |
Bones become soft and bent |
Calcium |
Bone and tooth decay |
Weak bones, tooth decay |
Iodine |
Goiter |
Glands in the neck appear swollen, mental disability in children |
Iron |
Anemia |
Weakness |
How can we prevent deficiency?
Deficiency can be prevented by having a proper diet which includes all the nutrients which our body requires in the right amount along with roughage and wate r.