Nutrient deficiencies can cause poor health (with or without disease), and some pathological conditions (eg, malabsorption) can cause nutrient deficiencies.
Proper nutrition is aimed at achieving and maintaining a desirable body composition and maintaining a high potential for physical and mental work. A balance between energy intake and energy expenditure is necessary to maintain body weight.
Parenteral nutrition is by definition given intravenously. Partial parenteral nutrition provides only a portion of the daily nutritional requirements, supplementing oral nutrition.
Many malnourished patients require artificial nutrition, which is aimed at increasing lean body mass. Oral nutrition is difficult for patients with anorexia or those who have problems with food intake, digestion and absorption.
Anorexia or loss of appetite is common among dying patients. Behavioral approaches (e.g., flexible meal times, slow feeding, small portions, favorite or highly flavored foods) often increase oral intake.
Nutrition is the science of food and its impact on human health. Nutrients are chemical compounds found in food that the body uses for growth, maintenance, and energy.
Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency is rare and most commonly occurs in infants whose diets are deficient in EFA. Symptoms include scaly dermatitis, alopecia, thrombocytopenia, and growth retardation in children. Diagnosis is clinical. Dietary EFA supplementation reverses the deficiency.
Carnitine deficiency results from inadequate intake of or failure to utilize the amino acid carnitine. Carnitine deficiency represents a heterogeneous group of disorders.
Malnutrition is a form of malnutrition. Malnutrition may result from inadequate nutrient intake, malabsorption, abnormal metabolism, nutrient loss through diarrhea, or increased nutritional requirements (as occurs with cancer or infection).
