Why are minerals important for the body? Name three important minerals and the
disease or disorder caused by the deficiency of each of them.
Answers
What is a mineral deficiency?
Minerals are specific kinds of nutrients that your body needs in order to function properly. A mineral deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t obtain or absorb the required amount of a mineral.
The human body requires different amounts of each mineral to stay healthy. Specific needs are outlined in recommended daily allowances (RDA).
The RDA is the average amount that meets the needs of about 97 percent of healthy people. They can be obtained from food, mineral supplements, and food products that have been fortified with extra minerals.
A deficiency often happens slowly over time and can be caused by a number of reasons. An increased need for the mineral, lack of the mineral in the diet, or difficulty absorbing the mineral from food are some of the more common reasons.
Mineral deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems, such as weak bones, fatigue, or a decreased immune system.
Diseases Caused by a Lack of Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Scurvy. The disease of pirates: the grey-death. ...
Rickets. This condition is brought on by a lack of vitamin D, which causes the body to be unable to absorb or deposit calcium. ...
Beriberi. This condition is largely confined to Asia, especially in countries where boiled rice is a staple. ...
Pellagra.