We have learned that a balanced diet is very important for us because if an unbalanced diet continues over a long period of time a person may suffer from deficiency diseases. Diseases that are caused by deficiency of some vital nutrients over a long period of time are called deficiency diseases. There are many diseases that are caused by a lack of essential nutrients. Let us discuss them. Deficiency of proteins causes skin related diseases, stunted growth, discoloration of hairs, etc

The deficiency of fats and carbohydrates causes stunted growth. A person becomes very weak. The deficiency of vitamins and minerals causes a whole lot of diseases.

Let us discuss some of these diseases caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals.

Loss of vision: is caused by a lack of vitamin A. Its symptoms are poor vision, loss of vision in darkness etc.
Beri-Beri: This disease is caused by a lack or deficiency of vitamin b1 in your body. This disease has symptoms like weak muscles or very little energy for work.
Scurvy: Scurvy is a vitamin-deficient problem caused by the deficiency of vitamin C. This disease has symptoms like bleeding gums and wounds that take a longer time to heal.
Rickets: Rickets is caused by the deficiency of vitamin D in our body. The disease has symptoms like bones develop softer than normal resulting in bone weakness and deformity.

Now let us look at some diseases caused by the deficiency of some minerals.

Goiter: Goiter is caused by the deficiency of iodine. This gives the person a hideous look with a swollen neck. It is also found that deficiency of iodine causes serious mental disabilities in children.
Tooth decay: Tooth decay is caused by the deficiency of an important nutrient called �calcium� which is known to help in the formation of strong bones and teeth.
The deficiency of iron in the body causes a disease called �anaemia�. The major symptom of the disease is extreme weakness in the body.

COMPONENTS OF FOOD AND DEFICIENCY DISEASES

Do you know there are some diseases that do not occur due to microbes? But are caused due to the deficiency of some vital nutrients. Diseases caused by deficiency of one or more nutrients are called deficiency diseases.

A person may be getting enough food to eat but sometimes the food may not contain a particular nutrient. If this continues the person may suffer from its deficiency. Let us look at the different components of food.

Fats and carbohydrates: Fats and carbohydrates mainly provide energy for doing day-to-day activities. Their deficiency causes weakness in the body. We can get these nutrients by consuming milk, butter, wheat, maize rice, fruits, cereals, etc.

Protein: Protein is an important nutrient that our body needs. Proteins are needed for the growth and maintenance of the body. We can get proteins by consuming pulses, dairy products, fish, etc.

Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals are very important nutrients as they help in protecting our bodies against diseases. These are essential nutrients that our body needs for performing various metabolic functions. 

The deficiency of these nutrients can cause anemia, night blindness, tooth decay, and various other health problems. We can get vitamins and minerals by consuming green leafy vegetables, fruits, dairy products, pulses, etc. So we should have all the nutrients that our body needs in the right quantities in our diet to avoid deficiency diseases.

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