What happens if a person has a micronutrient deficiency? What are the dangers?
MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY – The body needs vitamins and minerals; if we don’t get enough of these, this can happen.
The term “micronutrient” is used to describe nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are needed by the body in small amounts. However, despite being needed in small amounts, deficiency can make a great impact.
It can put the health in critical condition and may even cause severe and even life-threatening conditions.
These vitamins and minerals are needed by the body to perform certain bodily functions like the production of enzymes, hormones, and other substances.
Micronutrient deficiency is “a lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts by the body for proper growth and development” according to a post from Our World In Data. Pregnant women and children are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
The six essential micronutrients are:
- iron
- vitamin D
- vitamin A
- iodine
- folate
- zinc
These are some of the effects of deficiency:
- The World Health Organization says iron deficiency is the leading and most common form of micronutrient malnutrition globally. This is the leading cause of anemia and can even result in poor fetal growth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased risk of death for the mother and the baby.
- Lack of vitamin A can increase the risk of blindness and death from infections such as measles and diarrhea.
- Vitamin D is for bone health and lack of this can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
- Lack of iodine can affect pregnancy and infant’s growth and cognitive development.
Meanwhile, most deficiencies can be prevented by nutrition education and the consumption of a healthy diet. A clean and healthy diet should have a diversity of foods. Food fortification and supplementation will also do.
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