Nutritional Deficiency
By: Truc Le
Nutritional deficiency, as known as malnutrition, happens when the body does not have an adequate supply of essential nutrients. Malnutrition affects the growth and development of the body and leads to a variety of health problems such as bone disorder, skin problems, eye problems, mental disorder, sexual disorder, digestive disorders, blood disorders and so on.
There are two main types of nutritional deficiency: primary and secondary nutritional deficiency. Primary nutritional deficiency happens when a person does not have enough vital nutrients in their diet and the problem can be simply solved by eating food or using supplemental products. Secondary nutritional deficiency occurs when a person’s diet is limited by his/ her ability to intake specific types of food. It usually happens in people with medical conditions such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, lactose intolerance, pancreatic insufficiency and pernicious anemia. This type of malnutrition is more challenging to treat than the primary one.
Some of the most common nutrient deficiencies are iron deficiency (25% of people worldwide), iodine deficiency (nearly a third of the world’s population), vitamin D deficiency (42% of US population), vitamin B12 deficiency, calcium deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral which is a large component of red blood cells. Iron deficiency affects 25% of people worldwide. Iodine is a vital mineral for the normal production and function of thyroid and thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency can lead to mental retardation, developmental abnormalities, and enlargement of thyroid gland. Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency usually happens in people who live far from the equator. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is essential for blood formation, as well as brain and nerve function. There are 80–90% of vegetarians and vegans and more than 20% of older adults being deficient in vitamin B12. Calcium is important in cell signaling and mineralizing bones and teeth, especially during times of rapid growth. However, one US survey shows that “fewer than 15% of teenage girls, fewer than 10% of women over 50, and fewer than 22% of teenage boys and men over 50 met the recommended calcium intake.” Lastly, vitamin A is an essential vitamin in forming and maintaining healthy skin, teeth, bones, cell membranes, and vision. This vitamin deficiency is very common in many developing countries and is the world’s leading cause of blindness.
Nutritional deficiency can have a variety of symptoms which depend on the lacking nutrients. Some common symptoms are fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of height, pale color of eyes and skin, acne, lethargy, anemia, shortness of breath, dizziness, mental problems, weak bones, eyesight problems, tooth decay, cataracts, cold hands, and muscle cramps.
There are a variety of ways in managing nutritional deficiency. One of the first things is having a healthy diet. Supplement your diet with vegetables, legumes, fruits, dairy food, whole grain food, and organic food, which contain a high amount of vitamins. You also should avoid sweets, processed and fried food, which have a high level of salt and spices. Beside food, supplemental products are also recommended in order to complete your daily requirement of nutrients. Another way in managing malnutrition is doing exercise. Daily exercise helps you stay fit and healthy as well as improve your appetite. Taking enough sleep at night is also essential since lack of sleep can lead to nutritional imbalance of the body. Having a good lifestyle such as avoiding alcohol ( excess alcohol limits the body’s absorption of vitamins), avoiding smoking ( smoking reduces the absorption of vitamin C), and avoiding skipping meals since skipping meals is one of the main causes of nutritional deficiency.
Cultural and Ethnic Impact on our Diets
By: Lisa Kim
Most believe our diets and nutritional health are solely based on the choices we make. However, many fail to see how one’s culture and ethnic background can impact our diets and affect our overall health. Oftentimes, regions around the world consume different foods due to geographical, religious, and cultural differences. In this article, we will discuss two areas of the world: Asia and Africa to learn how each group’s dietary compositions differ.
The continent of Asia accounts for a large range of different cultures and varying food diets. Although diets seen in South Asia can contrast with those in East Asia, there are similar characteristics and trends throughout the continent. Strong spices and herbs are commonly used in many Asian dishes. For example, Kashmiri chillis and red pepper paste are often found in Indian and Korean foods, respectively. Ginger is also a vital ingredient in Asian dishes. This herb is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and help reduce nausea (WebMD). Another common ingredient in Asian diets is vegetables including soybean sprouts, Nappa cabbage, sansai, and bamboo shoots. Moreover, it is common to find less of a focus on red meats and sweets within Asian diets (OldWays). In fact, most families eat fruits as dessert rather than ice cream or chocolate. Overall, many of these dietary choices are due to cultural practices and religious beliefs.
Similar to Asian diets, a traditional African diet also consists of vegetables but of a different variety. Staple vegetables include yams, sweet potatoes, and beans (OldWays). For example, Githeri is a common Kenyan stew including ingredients such as beans, corns, onions, and tomatoes (TasteAtlas). Furthermore, okra rice, wheat, and whole-grain foods are commonly consumed. (Dindyal). These foods are high in fiber which helps to reduce constipation and improves one’s bowel movements. Another trait in African foods is the use of oils such as shea butter, sesame oil, and palm oil (Today’s Dietitian). These oils are rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E which can improve one’s immunity system and resistance to chronic diseases. Similar to Asia, African diets also seem to have less of a focus on red meats and sweets.
In conclusion, one’s ethnic and cultural background can affect our diets more than we think. Regions all over the world have distinct dietary customs but can also share similar patterns. For example, although Asian countries have a stronger emphasis on herbs and spices compared to African countries, they both enjoy consuming vegetables and avoid over sugary desserts.
Work Cited:
Nutritional Deficiency
Bjarnadottir, Adda M. “7 Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common.” Healthline, 21 May 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-common-nutrient-deficiencies#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4.
“Nutritional Deficiency – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies, Prevention, Medicines, Doctors | SaveOnMedicals.” Save On Medicals, www.saveonmedicals.com/Diseases/nutritional-deficiency. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021. Pathania, Neha. “Nutritional Deficiency- Forms and Types of Nutritional Deficiencies- Dr. Neha Pathania.” Paras Hospitals, 9 Sept. 2017, www.parashospitals.com/blogs/what-is-nutritional-deficiency.
Cultural and Ethnic Impact on our Diets
Dindyal, Shiva, and Sanjay Dindyal. “How Personal Factors, Including Culture And Ethnicity, Affect The Choices And Selection Of Food We Make.” Internet Scientific Publications, vol. 1, no. 2, 2003. ISPUB, https://ispub.com/IJTWM/1/2/11779. Accessed 12 September 2021.
OldWays. “African Heritage Diet.” OldWays, https://oldwayspt.org/traditional-diets/african-heritage-diet. Accessed 12 September 2021.
OldWays. “Asian Heritage Diet.” OldWays, https://oldwayspt.org/traditional-diets/asian-heritage-diet. Accessed 12 September 2021.
tasteatlas. “100 Most Popular African Foods & Beverages.” tasteatlas, AtlasMedia Ltd, 28 January 2021, https://www.tasteatlas.com/100-most-popular-foods-in-africa. Accessed 12 September 2021.
Today’s Dietitian. “Obtaining Health Through Heritage- A Diet Rooted in African Traditions May Be the Path to Optimal Health for African Americans.” Today’s Dietitian, Today’s Dietitian, March 2012, https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/030612p26.shtml. Accessed 12 September 2021.
WebMD. “GINGER.” WebMD, WebMD LLC, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-961/ginger. Accessed 12 September 2021.
Medical Wonders 