6 Lesser-Known Nutrient Deficiency Diseases that You Cannot Afford to Ignore

• Written by Jagriti Chakraborty

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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“Imagine your body as an orchestra. If one instrument is out of tune, the harmony is lost.” 

Nutrient deficiencies can be subtle at first, yet powerful enough to impact your overall health. In an age when we all enjoy ample access to food, it’s paradoxical that inadequate nutrients remain a significant health issue. While common deficiencies like iron deficiency and deficiency diseases are widely known and discussed, several lesser-known nutrient deficiencies continue to impact global health standards. These lesser-known conditions are commonly undiagnosed, wrapped in mystery.

This mystery of hidden deficits often goes unnoticed behind the curtain of impressive global health statistics. So, it is high time to uncover the true nature of these deficiency-related diseases, reveal vital insights, and create a society where every individual thrives with the necessary nutrition. 

What are Deficiency Diseases and Their Root Causes?

A deficiency disease occurs when the body is deprived of vital nutrients, causing the body’s natural processes to break down and open the door to diseases. These critical nutrients may include vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support your body with the required stamina, disease resistance, skeletal integrity, and tissue regeneration. Missing even one essential nutrient can gradually cause internal imbalance. 

However, you must know that the absence of just one nutrient rarely triggers the alarming extent of mineral deficiency. They often occur from a web of underlying causes: 

Poor dietary habits 

Poor dietary habits stem from calorie-dense meals that are empty of vital nutrients. For instance, following crash diets and mainly consuming processed foods can cause significant nutritional gaps. 

Malabsorption disorders 

Malabsorption disorder is a medical condition in which the body loses its ability to absorb nutrients from food. Despite eating a balanced diet, this disorder prevents the extraction of  essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies in the long run. 

Medication interference 

Particular medications reduce absorption, increase excretion, alter metabolism, and disturb the balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. 

Lifestyle factors 

Lifestyle factors can alter the body’s ability to use essential nutrients. These factors include physical activity level, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and sleep patterns, which can create conditions that can affect nutrient absorption and use in the long run.

These underlying causes may seem insignificant initially, but they silently contribute to full-blown diseases over time. 

6 Lesser-Known Nutrient Deficiency Diseases 

We are no strangers to basic vitamin and mineral deficiencies, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a deeper, often overlooked layer of nutritional deficiencies that remain undiagnosed and untreated. These deficiencies highlight that calorie needs do not ensure nutritional adequacy. 

Pellagra: A Disease Caused by Vitamin B3 Deficiency 

"Pellagra, a disease caused by vitamin B3 deficiency, primarily affects the skin, digestive, and nervous systems due to the lack of tryptophan, its precursor.

Ariboflavinosis Due to Vitamin B2 Deficiency

This is a rare condition caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B2, a water-soluble vitamin responsible for energy production, fat metabolism, cellular function, and other functions. Long-term Vitamin B2 deficiency can cause chronic fatigue, weakness, damaged skin, vision problems, and anemia. 

Beriberi Resulting from Vitamin B1 Deficiency

Beriberi is a disease that primarily affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. People who are chronic alcoholics, have unbalanced diets, are infants of malnourished mothers, and tend to consume polished rice are at a higher risk for beriberi. 

Goitre Caused by Iodine Deficiency

Goitre is an iodine-deficient disease that causes the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, to enlarge abnormally. However, it can also result from hormonal imbalances or thyroid nodules. 

Osteoporosis is linked to Vitamin D deficiency

A Vitamin D deficiency, Osteoporosis, makes bones prone to being weak, brittle, and porous, making them more vulnerable to fractures. This is often called a silent disease, which is more common in older adults. 

Biotin Deficiency Caused By Vitamin B7

Biotin deficiency is a Vitamin B7 deficiency disease, which is more common among people on long-term antibiotics, pregnant women, and individuals with long-term genetic biotinidase deficiency.  

Key Takeaways

Though nutrient deficiency diseases vary, the underlying insights are surprisingly alike: 

• The health journey begins with awareness: Awareness is essential for well-being. Lack of knowledge can result in quiet development and worsening nutritional deficiency. 
• Deficiency symptoms disguise themselves as routine health problems: Fatigue, headache, irritation, and skin issues are often attributed to common health problems. However, these symptoms can indicate an underlying nutrient imbalance, eventually leading to nutrient deficiency diseases. 
• Not all life stages are nutritionally equal: Our bodies constantly evolve, and each stage demands a unique set of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to support healthy development and recovery. 
• You may be full but still lacking due to relying on highly processed food. In today’s world, highly processed food is gradually becoming a dietary staple, stripped of natural nutrients and loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, and artificial additives. 

Common deficiencies often get highlighted, yet lesser-known nutrient deficiency diseases usually escape medical attention until they turn serious, requiring tests, treatments, and even hospitalisation. Health insurance not only helps cover these unexpected costs but also ensures timely access to consultations, diagnostics, etc. 

>>Read More: The Impact of Mineral Deficiencies on Overall Health and Well-Being

Catch the Deficiency Before it Catches You 

Nutrient deficiency diseases rarely stand out in global health figures, yet their consequences are tangible and measurable, highlighting the necessity of awareness and practical solutions. However, awareness is just the beginning; what truly safeguards is having reliable health insurance to manage the financial burden from diagnostic tests to expensive supplements and ongoing care. With Care Health Insurance, you can get the right health insurance coverage to access the best healthcare, so you don't have to choose between your health and finances. 

It’s Time to Test Your Knowledge of Deficiency Diseases 

Answer Key

• D. Vitamin B3
• B. Vitamin D
• D. Visible neck swelling 
• C. Vitamin B1
• A. Iron 

Did you try the quiz? Share your experience in the comments below. 

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