Disorders Associated with Inadequate and Excessive Nutrient Intake

Abstract: The health and well-being of people are at a high risk due to nutritional deficiencies that can be caused by either the absence or excess of nutrients in the diet. Growth, immunity and organ dysfunction diseases that are associated with deficiencies include anemia due to iron deficiency, rickets which is due to vitamin D deficiency, scurvy which is due to vitamin C deficiency and kwashiorkor which is due to protein energy malnutrition. Opposite is the case with over nutrition where too much nutrients are ingested in the body thereby causing toxicity, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and hypervitaminosis particularly from fat soluble vitamins and certain minerals. The maintenance of physiological processes, metabolic effectiveness, and general health depends on the balance of macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). The etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of disorders caused by nutritional imbalances are examined in this paper along with prevention and management strategies. The importance of balanced diets, public health initiatives, and customized nutritional therapies in reducing these conditions is emphasized. Addressing the worldwide health issues of malnutrition and dietary excess requires an understanding of these conditions.

Keywords: Nutrition, Micronutrients, Macronutrients, malnutrition, Nutritional disorder.