Nutrient Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Nutrient deficiencies can occur in a variety of ways. Nutrition is not always behind the symptoms. Regardless of the underlying cause, however, treatment is necessary to prevent secondary damage.

What is nutrient deficiency?

A nutrient deficiency is an undersupply of the body with various substances. In addition to carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the organism also requires various vitamins and minerals. These occur in differentiated composition in food. If too little fruit and vegetables are eaten or if there is a functional disorder of the intestine, the organism does not get enough nutrients. However, because these affect all processes, symptoms arise. Which symptoms ultimately become noticeable depends on the type of deficiency in question. Some can be more severe, while others take a more mild course. In addition, a nutrient deficiency is often only detected relatively late. In older people in particular, the symptoms are increasingly attributed to general aging. In some cases, the treatment of a nutrient deficiency can greatly improve health. Otherwise, diseases and a susceptibility to infections threaten.

Causes

The causes of nutrient deficiency cannot be generalized. That is why a precise examination is of great importance in the case of a negative blood count. A nutrient deficiency can arise, for example, with an unbalanced diet. After all, the substances must be supplied from the outside. If fruits and vegetables or other elementary products are consumed only rarely, a deficiency becomes noticeable. But the diet is not always responsible for the complaints. Nutrients are ultimately absorbed through the intestines. If there is a functional disorder here, the organ absorbs only a small part of the substances, although they were added in sufficient quantities. Such a disorder can be caused, for example, by an inflammation of the stomach, small or large intestine. Especially outside the industrialized countries, diseases of the esophagus resulting in dysphagia are increasingly diagnosed in this context. Poorer processing of nutrients is present in diabetes or cancer. The psychological component should also not be forgotten. Stress and stressful situations can lead to loss of appetite. Other people are more prone to diarrhea, which also flushes out important substances.

Symptoms, complaints and signs

The symptoms of nutrient deficiency vary widely. Often, those affected suffer from fatigue and a lack of drive. Sleep disturbances, muscle cramps, constipation and increased nervousness may indicate a magnesium deficiency. A potassium deficiency is manifested by exhaustion, muscular weakness, loss of appetite and nausea. If not enough iron is absorbed, this affects various processes in the body. Iron is needed for the production of hemoglobin. This is not only behind the red color of the blood, but also plays a decisive role in the transport of oxygen. If there is an undersupply of oxygen to individual cells, patients often feel tired and weak. Disorientation and confusion indicate a deficiency of B vitamins. A vitamin B12 deficiency in particular can have a negative effect. Contrary to many prejudices, not only vegans and vegetarians suffer from such a condition. Functional disturbances of the intestine lead likewise with humans with meat portion in the food plan to the complaints. In addition, the occurrence of vitamin B12 in many animal products is lower than suspected.

Diagnosis and course of the disease

A nutrient deficiency is usually diagnosed by a blood count. However, this is preceded by a detailed discussion with the physician, during which all symptoms should be described. Many of the symptoms indicate a different deficiency. Analysis of the blood finally provides the proof. The course of a nutrient deficiency cannot be generalized. In general, however, most symptoms disappear when specific preparations are taken. If the deficiency has already left more severe damage, these also require medical attention.

Complications

The complications to be expected from a nutrient deficiency depend on the type of deficiency.In cases of general malnutrition, constant weight loss, a reduction in physical performance and the ability to concentrate, states of exhaustion and circulatory weakness are to be expected. In severe cases, for example when food intake is almost completely denied for a long time due to anorexia, organ failure resulting in death may occur. In children and adolescents, a permanent nutrient deficiency can be associated with delayed growth, malformations of the spine and skeleton, brain damage and delayed sexual maturity. A common specific nutrient deficiency is iron deficiency, which is most common in women. Iron deficiency manifests itself, for example, in permanent fatigue, brittle nails, mouth ragging and hair loss. In severe cases, the body can no longer produce enough hemoglobin, resulting in iron deficiency anemia. People who eat a predominantly or exclusively plant-based diet are at risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency, as this substance is naturally found only in animal products. With a vegan lifestyle, vitamin B12 must therefore be substituted. Otherwise there is a risk of chronic fatigue, exhaustion, lack of concentration and muscle weakness. In an advanced stage, nerve damage, especially paralysis, coordination disorders and impaired memory are also to be expected. In young children, severe vitamin B 12 deficiency can lead to permanent brain damage.

When should you see a doctor?

Usually, a balanced diet is sufficient to give the body its need for nutrients from food. A slight deficiency can usually be compensated for by over-the-counter preparations that can be obtained from pharmacies, health food stores or even drugstores. Nevertheless, there are some reasons why a nutrient deficiency should result in a visit to the doctor. If clear symptoms indicate a nutrient deficiency, medical advice should be sought. The doctor can examine the blood and determine whether a deficiency or possibly another disease is causing the symptoms. A doctor should also be consulted after taking supplements to check for effectiveness. Some nutrient deficiencies result in serious symptoms that can often require a visit to the doctor as well. The iron deficiency can cause weakness, pallor, headache and breathlessness on exertion, and the potassium deficiency can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. The magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramps such as calf cramps at night, but also psychological lability. In all cases, the visit to the doctor serves to secure the assumption that the symptoms are caused by a nutrient deficiency. The medical doctor is also the right address if a serious deficiency cannot be compensated by the patient himself or if there is a utilization disorder.

Treatment and therapy

The therapy of a nutrient deficiency is designed to eliminate the cause of the phenomenon. Therefore, it is important that not only the symptoms are examined, but also the underlying cause is diagnosed. Otherwise, the treatment might have only a temporary success. Furthermore, the deficit of nutrients should be regulated so that the accompanying symptoms disappear at the same time. The patient’s condition in particular determines which measure is used. If the patient is conscious and does not suffer from dysphagia, treatment is based on food intake. Accordingly, the diet should be nutritious. In addition, special preparations are prescribed in which the vitamin or mineral is present in high dosage. In the case of some deficiencies, it is also advisable to administer the substance by injection. This is the case, for example, with vitamin B12 deficiency. Once this has become more severe, it is often alleviated with an injection. Psychological causes may have to be treated by therapy, and in the case of anorexia there is sometimes no way around hospitalization. Inflammations of the stomach and intestines are first detected during a mirror examination and then treated in a differentiated manner. In the case of inflammation of the large intestine, for example, antibiotics are used rather rarely and increasingly drugs that suppress the immune system.

Outlook and prognosis

When a nutrient deficiency is diagnosed, the prognosis is tied to the present cause as well as the symptoms already suffered.If the deficiency can be attributed to an incorrect diet, in most cases it is necessary to change the food intake. This does not always require the cooperation of a physician. If no secondary disorders have yet developed, complete freedom from symptoms is often documented within a few weeks or months. For a long-term very favorable prognosis, however, a permanent optimization of the diet is necessary. Otherwise, the health irregularities will regress within a few days. If the nutrient deficiency arose from a functional disorder of the intestine, the affected person requires medical care. In a drug therapy, the intestinal activity is improved and at the same time the deficiency that has arisen is compensated by the supply of the necessary nutrient. Regular checks are necessary in order to be able to react as quickly as possible in the event of changes. The prognosis worsens as soon as further damage to the organism has already occurred due to the lack of vital nutrients. These cannot always be completely cured. Chronic diseases as well as long-term therapy are possible. If tissue damage has occurred in the area of the brain, the prognosis is unfavorable. This damage is irreparable and therefore cannot be cured despite all efforts.

Prevention

Nutrient deficiency can be prevented to a limited extent. The diet should consist of plenty of fruits and vegetables, ideally consumed raw. The more colorful the diet, the more likely it is to provide all the essential nutrients. Caffeinated beverages, alcohol and tobacco should be the exception.

Aftercare

Aftercare aims to prevent disease and provide the patient with everyday support. This procedure is elementarily important, especially for cancer patients. This is because the life-threatening disease may recur. Patients who have suffered from a nutrient deficiency, on the other hand, can prevent a recurrence of the disease themselves. Daily consumption of raw fruits and vegetables ensures a balanced nutrient level. In most cases, the typical complaints can be remedied in this way. The physician informs his patient about dietary tips. However, consistent implementation is the responsibility of the patient. In addition to an incorrect diet, other causes also cause nutrient deficiencies. These not infrequently lead to lengthy follow-up treatment. For example, young people often follow false ideals of beauty, which can take on pathological features. Those affected then take advantage of outpatient or inpatient psychotherapy. But diabetes, cancer and functional disorders of the bowel also lead to follow-up treatment. The doctor and patient arrange regular appointments for this purpose. Their intensity depends on the susceptibility to complications. The patient’s dietary habits and physical changes are assessed. A blood test provides information about the nutrient balance. Often, the physician can already make statements about the patient’s well-being based on his or her external appearance. Under certain circumstances, participation in nutritional counseling is suggested.

What you can do yourself

If the nutrient deficiency is based on an unbalanced diet, it can best be remedied in the long term by changing eating habits. It is important to eat varied meals that cover the daily requirements of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Whole-grain products and fresh fruit and vegetables are valuable sources of nutrients – these foods should be on the menu every day. Dairy products, meat, fish and eggs provide important proteins, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, iodine and calcium. Vegans and vegetarians can alternatively turn to cabbage, green leafy vegetables, soy products, nuts, seeds and legumes. In the case of certain intolerances or disease-related nutrient deficiencies, it is helpful to work out a diet plan tailored to individual needs with the attending physician or a nutritionist. Nutrient loss during cooking can be avoided by using gentle preparation methods such as steam cooking, and fruits and vegetables are particularly nutrient-rich as raw foods. Ready-made products usually contain more fat and significantly fewer minerals, vitamins and trace elements than freshly prepared food, so fast food should only be eaten in exceptional cases.In some cases, it may be necessary to compensate for a nutrient deficiency with medication or dietary supplements: However, such preparations should only be taken after consulting a doctor, as they often do more harm than good if taken in an uncontrolled manner.