Deficiency symptoms

Linoleic and linolenic acids cannot be synthesized in the body. They are considered essential because a lack of them in our diets leads to deficiency symptoms. Total essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency (both -6 and -3 fatty acids) causes reduced growth, reproductive failure and dermatitis (Burr and Burr, 1929,1930). These symptoms are prevented or reversed by feeding linoleic acid. Linolenic acid is partially effective at preventing or reversing these symptoms but is not specifically required (Holman, 1968). 

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Table 6. Vitamin Functions, Clinical Deficiency Symptoms, and Potential Health Benefits...

Cobalt is one of twenty-seven known elements essential to humans (28) (see Mineral NUTRIENTS). It is an integral part of the cyanocobalamin [68-19-9] molecule, ie, vitamin B 2> only documented biochemically active cobalt component in humans (29,30) (see Vitamins, VITAMIN Vitamin B 2 is not synthesized by animals or higher plants, rather the primary source is bacterial flora in the digestive system of sheep and cattle (8). Except for humans, nonmminants do not appear to requite cobalt. Humans have between 2 and 5 mg of vitamin B22, and deficiency results in the development of pernicious anemia. The wasting disease in sheep and cattle is known as bush sickness in New Zealand, salt sickness in Florida, pine sickness in Scotland, and coast disease in AustraUa. These are essentially the same symptomatically, and are caused by cobalt deficiency. Symptoms include initial lack of appetite followed by scaliness of skin, lack of coordination, loss of flesh, pale mucous membranes, and retarded growth. The total laboratory synthesis of vitamin B 2 was completed in 65—70 steps over a period of eleven years (31). The complex stmcture was reported by Dorothy Crowfoot-Hodgkin in 1961 (32) for which she was awarded a Nobel prize in 1964. 

About 50% of copper in food is absorbed, usually under equitibrium conditions, and stored in the tiver and muscles. Excretion is mainly via the bile, and only a few percent of the absorbed amount is found in urine. The excretion of copper from the human body is influenced by molybdenum. A low molybdenum concentration in the diet causes a low excretion of copper, and a high intake results in a considerable increase in copper excretion (68). This copper—molybdenum relationship appears to correlate with copper deficiency symptoms in cattle. It has been suggested that, at the pH of the intestine, copper and molybdate ions react to form biologically unavailable copper molybdate (69). 

Alimentary biotin deficiency is rare. It may, however, occur in patients on long-term parenteral nutrition lacking biotin or in persons who frequently consume raw egg white. Raw egg white contains a biotin-binding glycoprotein, called avidin, which renders biotin biologically unavailable. Pharmacological doses of the vitamin (1-10 mg/d) are then used to treat deficiency symptoms. There are no reports of toxicity for daily oral doses up to 200 mg and daily intravenous doses of up to 20 mg [2]. 

Cyano- and hydroxocobalamin - both can be converted to the physiologically relevant coenzymes methyl- and 5 -deoxyadenosylcobalamin in the liver -are used for therapeutical applications. When pernicious anemia caused by chronic atrophic gastritis has been diagnosed, it is treated as follows During the first 7 days of treatment, 1000 pg of hydroxocobalamin/d are administered parenterally, usually intramuscularly. Then, the same dose is given once weekly for 4-6 weeks. The aim is to alleviate the deficiency symptoms and at the same time to replenish the stores. Afterwards, 1000 pg hydroxocobalamin should be given parenterally every 2 months lifelong to avoid relapse [1, 2]. 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS ARE PRODUCED WHEN THE ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA) ARE ABSENT FROM THE DIET... 

Inorganic mineral elements that have a function in the body must be provided in the diet. When the intake is insufficient, deficiency symptoms may arise, eg, ane-... 

Vitamins are organic nutrients with essential meta-bohc functions, generally required in small amounts in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body. The hpid-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are hydrophobic molecules requiring normal fat absorption for their efficient absorption and the avoidance of deficiency symptoms. 

It is unwise to treat soil for a deficiency unless you are sure that it really is deficient in that particular element, as this may simply exacerbate the condition. Deficiency symptoms often occur as a result of over-liming, excessive fertilizer use, or poor soil structure—rather than from a true shortage in the soil (see pp.26-31 and 86-87 for more information). Cold weather, drought, and waterlogging can also cause a temporary deficiency. 

The deficiency state scurvy is characterized by degenerative changes in the capillaries, bone, and connective tissues. Mild vitamin C deficiency symptoms may include faulty bone and tooth development, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and loosened teeth. 

Pyridoxine vitamin Bf) deficiency symptoms are generally expressed as alterations in the skin, blood, and central nervous system. Symptoms include sensory neuritis, mental depression, and convulsions. Hypochromic, sideroblastic anemia also may result. Since pyridoxine is required for the conversion of tryptophan to diphos-phopyridine and triphosphopyridine nucleotides, pellagralike symptoms can occur with vitamin Bg deficiency. This deficiency is found most often in conjunction with other B complex deficiencies. 

Folic acid deficiency symptoms include megaloblastic anemia, glossitis, diarrhea, and weight loss. The requirement for this vitamin increases during pregnancy and lactation. 

L B. Supplement with vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency symptoms include night blindness that can lead to corneal ulceration. This deficiency can occur in patients with impaired liver storage or fat malabsorption. Dairy products, such as milk, are a good source of vitamin A. (3-Carotene, a vitamin A precursor, is found in pigmented vegetables, such as carrots. When a deficiency is diagnosed, it is appropriate to treat the patient with a supplement rather than to rely on increased consumption of vitamin A-rich foods. A patient with pancreatic disease and malabsorption syndrome will need parenteral supplementation. 

Evaluate the patient for reversal of deficiency symptoms (anorexia, ataxia, fatigue, hyporeflexia, insomnia, irritability, loss of positional sense, pallor, and palpitations on exertion) a therapeutic response to treatment usually occurs within 48 hr... 

Clinical improvement and record relief of iron deficiency symptoms (fatigue, headache, irritability, pallor, and paresthesia of extremities)... 

Therapeutic improvement, including improved sense of well-being and relief from iron deficiency symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, pallor, dyspnea, and sore tongue... 

Observe the patient for improvement of deficiency symptoms, including CNS abnormalities (anxiety, depression, insomnia, motor difficulty, paresthesia and tremors) and skin lesions (glossitis, seborrhea-like lesions around eyes, mouth,... 

The spectrum of cognitive deficits associated with chronic alcohol use extends to the extreme of Wernicke s encephalopathy and Korsakoff s psychosis. Wernicke s encephalopathy is an acute neurologic syndrome caused by thiamine deficiency. Symptoms include mental confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. Many of these symptoms reverse with administration of thiamine however about 50% of patients are left with some degree of ataxia. Left untreated, Wernicke s encephalopathy can progress to stupor, coma, and death. Approximately 80% to 90% of alcoholics treated for Wernicke s encephalopathy are left with Korsakoff s psychosis, a syndrome of impaired learning and recent memory produced by lesions of the medial dorsal nuclei of the thalamus. 

Vitamins are vital for normal metabolism in body. They vary in their chemical structure and are supplied in very small quantity in diet, because they are not synthesized in body or their rate of production is not sufficient for maintenance of health. Vitamin deficiency leads to development of deficiency symptoms. Different vitamin preparations are available for treatment and prophylaxis. Most of the vitamins are nontoxic but on chronic administration can cause toxicity especially vitamin A and D. 

Deficiency symptoms Bitot s spots, xerosis, night blindness, keratomalacia, diarrhoea, follicular hyperkeratosis, papular eruptions, drying of epidermis, urinary calculi, degeneration of testis, impaired spermatogenesis, sterility, abortion, impairment of smell and taste. 

Deficiency symptoms Rickets occurs in patients who are having deficiency of vitamin D. The bones are unusually soft and due to stress and strain of weight bearing produce characteristic deformities. 

Deficiency symptoms In vitamin E deficiency in experimental animals the manifestations are seen in several systems... 

Deficiency symptoms In severe vitamin B deficiency beriberi develops. 

Deficiency symptoms It is characterized by glossitis, dermatitis of trunk and extremities, angular stomatitis, cheilosis, anaemia, neuropathy, cataract formation and vascularization of cornea. 

Deficiency symptoms In niacin deficiency, pellagra develops. The main... 

Deficiency symptoms Deficiency of panthothenic acid is unlikely in man because of its widespread distribution in food, though it has been administered by mouth as a nutritional supplement as the calcium salt and usually in conjunction with other vitamins of the B group. 

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