Deficiency
A deficiency is a state for the body in which it doesn’t get a sufficient supply of nutrients.
It can happen because of poor dietary and lifestyle habits, or any metabolic or digestive issues.
In this article, we’ll discuss 2 different types of deficiencies.
You might’ve seen some people getting enough sunlight, yet they get Vitamin D deficient, or some people eating a wide range of whole foods, veggies, and fruits, yet getting iron deficiency. What sets them apart from the general population? Why their body isn’t able to process those nutrients, is it really because of the nutrients, or is it really that their body isn’t processing the nutrients, let’s find out!
Before we start, we’ve to understand what and how the deficiencies happen.
To start with, The human body is a miracle on its own, the chemical processes going on throughout the day is more than enough to understand in 1 lifetime. All these chemical reactions require a lot of nutrients. These nutrients when given in abundance, make these reactions go super smooth, but when because of any reason, if the intake is cut off inside the body they start creating havoc. Just imagine, what would happen if you’re constructing a building, and cement or the bricks falls short? You will not be able to complete the project and that can lead to financial and time loss! Now, think about this machine, what would happen if one nutrient’s status goes haywire? A lot of other systems depending on that will get affected and the health status of that individual will change negatively.
Deficiencies can be of any nutrient
Macronutrients -
Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats
Micronutrients -
Types of Deficiency
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Dietary Deficiency - It is a type of deficiency in which the body is not getting enough nutrients from dietary/external sources. It is as simple as, if you’re not eating something, your body will not get “something” which you didn’t eat. Examples include people who are living in low sunlight areas not able to synthesize enough Vit D, or people eating fewer veggies and whole foods.
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Functional Deficiency - It is a ty pe of deficiency in which the body is not able to absorb, process, or metabolize nutrients. Having issue(s) with any functional organ can lead to this kind of deficiency. It is like, you’re eating something, but your systems are not able to process that, thus leading to a deficiency. Examples include people having issues with kidneys or liver, and failing to process inactive Vitamin D, leading to Vitamin D deficiency. Alcohol damages the inner layer of the GI tract, which leads to issues with vitamin B absorption, and later on, deficiency. Or, People having darker skin color, because of melanin (the pigment), find it hard to synthesize the Inactive form of vitamin D through the skin, which can lead to Vitamin D deficiency.
So, what can be done?
Vitamins and Minerals supplements can help, but to what extent, is questionable.
If an individual has a functional deficiency, it’s hard to say and even diagnose, visiting a doctor and getting checked thoroughly will help.
Dietary deficiencies can be diagnosed by a blood report, but they still will need a medical professional’s intervention to get a proper prescription for optimum dosages.
Changing the way a person eats, and the type of food items a person chooses can actually change the game altogether. Tracking macronutrients is a very small part of nutrition science, it's high time everyone should start tracking the micronutrients too.
