Contents
Deficiency Diseases Definition:
“Deficiency diseases are diseases that are caused by the lack of certain essential nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals, in one’s diet over a prolonged period of time.”
What are Deficiency Diseases?
A balanced diet is extremely important for the good health of a person. Any imbalance in the diet might lead to excess or insufficient intake of certain nutrients. Insufficient intake of a particular nutrient can lead to a deficiency disease.
Let us have a detailed look at different types of deficiency diseases and the methods of prevention of deficiency diseases.
List of Deficiency Diseases:
Following is a list of major deficiency diseases that occur due to lack of essential minerals and vitamins:
| Types of Vitamins | Deficiency Diseases |
| A (Retinol) | Night blindness |
| B1 (Thiamine) | Beri-beri |
| B2 (Riboflavin) | Retarded growth, bad skin |
| B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | Anaemia |
| C (Ascorbic acid) | Scurvy |
| D (Calciferol) | Rickets |
| K (Phylloquinone) | Excessive bleeding due to injury |
| Types of Minerals | Deficiency Diseases |
| Calcium | Brittle bones, excessive bleeding |
| Phosphorus | Bad teeth and bones |
| Iron | Anaemia |
| Iodine | Goitre, enlarged thyroid gland |
| Copper | Low appetite, retarded growth |
