deficiency diseases

Deficiency diseases are illnesses that happen when the body does not get enough of a particular nutrient (like a vitamin or mineral) for a long time.

• They are a type of non-communicable disease: no germs are involved, so they do not spread from one person to another.
• Each nutrient has a job in the body, so when that nutrient is missing, a specific problem appears. For example:
  • Vitamin C helps keep gums and skin healthy; lack of it can cause scurvy.
  • Iron is needed to make haemoglobin in blood; lack of it can cause anaemia (feeling weak and tired).
  • Iodine is needed for thyroid hormones; lack of it can cause goitre (swelling in the neck).
• A simple way to think of it: nutrients are like “parts” needed to build and run a machine—if one important part is missing, the machine can’t work properly.
• They are often prevented by eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods (grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk/eggs/meat as available) and using iodised salt.
• Many deficiency diseases can improve when the missing nutrient is supplied through diet changes and, if needed, supplements advised by a doctor.

So, deficiency diseases are strongly linked to what we eat regularly, not to infection.