Question

What are the deficiencies of micronutrients?

Answer 1

Micronutrients:

1. Micronutrients are needed in small amounts but are essential components of food.
2. They include vitamins, minerals, and water.
3. They are needed in trace amounts i.e., only 0.01g per day.
4. Their deficiency in food causes deficiency diseases.

Vitamins:

1. Vitamins are of two types fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins.
2. The deficiency of vitamins is called deficiency symptoms.

Water-soluble vitamins:

1. The deficiency of vitamin B₁ (thiamine) causes beriberi.
2. The deficiency of vitamin B₂ (riboflavin) causes cheilosis.
3. The deficiency of vitamin B₃ (nicotinamide) causes pellagra.
4. The deficiency of vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid) causes fatigue, muscle cramps, and poor motor coordination.
5. The deficiency of vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine) causes anemia, diarrhea, and convulsions in children.
6. The deficiency of vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin) is pernicious anemia.
7. The deficiency of vitamin B₉ (folic acid) causes megaloblastic anemia.
8. The deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) causes scurvy, poor bone growth, and slow healing.

Fat-soluble vitamins:

1. The deficiency of vitamin A (retinol) causes night blindness.
2. The deficiency of vitamin D (calciferol) causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
3. The deficiency of vitamin E (tocopherol) causes reproductive failure, muscular dystrophy, and increased hemolysis of R.B.C.
4. The deficiency of vitamin K (phylloquinone) causes profuse and prolonged bleeding and increases the clotting time.