List of illnesses caused by poor nutrition

Many diseases in humans are directly or indirectly caused by improper eating habits and essential nutrients.

Additionally, several diseases are directly or indirectly impacted by dietary habits, and require very close attention to the nutrient content of food.

Overnutrition (eating too much)

Main article: Overnutrition

Food

See also: Overeating

Calories

Obesity, which in turn can lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Vitamins

Vitamin poisoning

Microminerals and Macrominerals

Iron overload disorder

Deficiencies (eating too little)

Main article: Malnutrition

Proteins/fats/carbohydrates

protein-energy malnutrition
- kwashiorkor
- marasmus
- Mental retardation ^[1]

Vitamin

See also: avitaminosis, and the table of deficiency diseases at human vitamins

Pellagra -
Poor immune system function, potentially leading to a wide range of other illnesses.
Spina bifida
Vitamin B₁ (thiamine) deficiency causes:
- Beriberi -
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome -
ariboflavinosis
collagen synthesis.
Vitamin D deficiency - is known to cause several bone diseases^[2] including:
- Rickets - a childhood disease characterized by impeded growth, and deformity, of the long bones.
- Osteomalacia- a bone-thinning disorder that occurs exclusively in adults and is characterised by proximal muscle weakness and bone fragility.
- Osteoporosis - a condition characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility.

Microminerals and Macrominerals

Iodine deficiency
Iron deficiency
- Iron deficiency anemia
Metabolic or nutritionally related disease such as goitre
Osteoporosis - caused by calcium deficiency
zinc deficiency (growth retardation)

Foot notes

^ "Malnutrition Is Cheating Its Survivors, and Africa’s Future" article in the New York Times by Michael Wines, December 28, 2006
^ Grant WB, Holick MF (2005). "Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health: a review". Altern Med Rev 10 (2): 94-111. PMID 15989379.