This document discusses several important nutrients including protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and potassium. It defines each nutrient, where they are found in the body, and symptoms of deficiencies. Protein is needed to make new proteins and tissues. Fiber deficiency can lead to diseases like heart disease and cancer. Calcium regulates nerve and muscle function, while deficiencies and excesses can cause issues like seizures or arrhythmias. Iron deficiency results in anemia and issues like fatigue, while potassium maintains acid-base balance and proper heart and muscle function. Deficiencies of these key nutrients can impact many body systems and functions.

2. Fiber

3. Calcium

4. Iron

5. PotassiumDeficiencies continued

6. Proteins Definition: In the body the amino acids are used to make new proteins, converted into hormones such as adrenalin or used as an energy source. Where: Brain cells, muscle, skin, hair and nails are just some of the body parts that are protein-based.

7. Symptoms of protein defficiency The human body can’t store protein, so it must be supplied on a daily basis from the foods we eat. Strict vegetarians who don’t consume any animal products at all are at increased risk of protein deficiency if they don’t eat a wide range of complementary plant proteins. Symptoms of protein deficiency include: Wasting and shrinkage of muscle tissue Oedema (build-up of fluids, particularly in the feet and ankles) Anaemia (the blood’s inability to deliver sufficient oxygen to the cells, usually caused by dietary deficiencies such as lack of iron) Slow growth (in children).

8. Excess protein Fad diets that favor very high protein and fat intake, combined with very low carbohydrate intake, may be harmful. The drawbacks of very high protein diets include: High intake of animal products (which is usually recommended in such diets) can also be high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which is associated with a range of conditions including heart disease. The liver and kidneys are put under strain because they have to detoxify and eliminate unusually high quantities of protein by products. Kidney problems may be exacerbated in people with diabetes.

9. Fiber 1. Dietary Fiber consists of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants. 2. Added Fiber consists of isolated, nondigestible carbohydrates that have beneficial physiological effects in humans. Total Fiber is the sum of Dietary Fiber and Added Fiber.

10. Symptoms of fiber deficiency cardiovascular disease pluri-metabolic syndrome (also known as Syndrome X) colorectal and esophageal cancer obesity Atherosclerosis coronary heart disease and others. A number of other less severe conditions is correlated with a low fiber intake, including elevated cholesterol levels, hemorrhoids, constipation, diarrhea and flatulence.

11. Excess fiber Persons eating more than 50g of fiber per day may experience an intestinal obstruction. Excessive dietary fiber may interfere with the retention of water, causing a fluid imbalance . May interfere with the absorption of minerals , and possibly cause a mineral deficiency in the long run, or during periods of increased need such as lactation, pregnancy or adolescence.

12. Calcium imbalance: Excerpt from Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition) Calcium plays an indispensable role in cell permeability, bone and teeth formation, blood coagulation, transmission of nerve impulses, and normal muscle contraction. Nearly all (99%) of the body’s calcium is found in the bones. The remaining 1% exists in the blood, with 50% of the remainder bound to plasma proteins and 40% ionized or free.

13. continued The ionized calcium in the serum is critical to healthy neurologic function. The parathyroid glands regulate ionized calcium and determine its resorption into bone, absorption from the GI mucosa, and excretion in urine and feces. Severe calcium imbalance requires emergency treatment because a deficiency (hypocalcemia) can lead to tetany and seizures; an excess (hypercalcemia), to cardiac arrhythmias and coma.

14. Calcium deficit: hypocalcemia nerve fiber irritability repetitive muscle spasms perioralparesthesia twitching carpopedal spasm tetany seizures

15. Calcium excess: hypercalcemia muscle weakness decreased muscle tone lethargy anorexia constipation nausea vomiting dehydration

16. Iron deficiency A decrease in the red cells of blood as a result of lack of iron in the blood Possible causes: - too little iron in the diet - poor absorption of iron by the body - loss of blood - lead poisoning in children Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in USA. It results when the body loses more iron than it ingests.

17. Iron Iron is the main ingredient in hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Without enough iron, body is unable to produce enough hemoglobin and as a result of this muscles get less oxygen, which reduces the body energy.

18. Symptoms of Iron deficiency - Lack of energy, feeling tired and weakness. - Pale skin on the lining of the eyes, the inner mouth, gums and the nails. - Rapid and forceful heart beat. - Low blood pressure with position change, from sitting to standing up. - Finger nails become thin, brittle and white. They may grow abnormally and get a spoon-shaped appearance. - Severe menstrual pain and bleeding. - Tongue may become sore, smooth, shiny and reddened.

19. Symptoms continued - Decreased appetite especially in children. - Headache - frontal- - Shortness of breath during exercise. (even during a simple exercise like walking) - Brittle hair. - Reduction in immunity and increased vulnerability to infection. - A strong desire to eat nonfoods such as ice, paint or dirt. A condition called pica. - Disturbed sleep. - Abdominal pain

20. Potassium required to regulate the acidity level maintains water balance as well as acid-base balance in the blood and tissue cells transmits electrical signals between nerves and cells and assists in muscle building major role in proper digestion, transmission of nerve impulses, regulation of heartbeats and muscle contraction. important for the normal functioning of kidneys and heart needed for normal muscular function, in both involuntary and voluntary muscles involved in the storage of carbohydrates, which are used by the muscles as a fuel.

21. Symptoms of Potassium deficiency A deficiency of potassium results in a fatal medical condition in the body, called hypokalemia. It can happen as a result of aging or in people suffering from a chronic disease. The most common problems are cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension and depression. The symptoms of potassium deficiency appear when the level of potassium in the body decreases extremely.

22. Symptoms continued muscular weakness fatigue temporary memory loss unusual anxiety and confusion, improper digestion leading to constipation kidney diseases such as acute renal failure improper sleep hypertension nervous system disorders