Deficiency Diseases and

Malnutrition GK Notes in PDF

As per The World Banks estimate, India has one of the highest number of children in
the world suffering from malnutrition. Moreover, the 2015 Global Hunger Index
Report ranked India 20th amongst leading countries with a serious hunger situation.
These facts indicate towards dire consequences for mortality rate, productivity and
economic growth. India, being the country with the worlds largest young
demographic, cannot afford to continue to let the evils of stunting, wasting, etc. lurk
over its future. Therefore, nutritional deficiency diseases have become an
important topic for government competitive exams. This list of nutrients, their
sources, constituents and deficiency diseases will help you prepare for the same.
You can also download this list of nutritional deficiency diseases as PDF for
future reference.

Deficiency diseases and Sources of Nutrients:

Nutrient
Vitamin A

Constituent
Retinol, Retinoic

Deficiency Diseases
Night-blindness

Sources
Carrots, Papaya,

Acid, Beta-

Milk, Cheese, Fish

Carotene

Liver Oil, Green

Vegetables etc.

Vitamin B1

Thiamine

Beriberi

Brewers Yeast,
Whole Grain,
Oatmeal, Legumes,
Peanuts, Dried
Soybean,
Sunflower Seeds
etc.

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin

Ariboflavinosis

Beef Liver, Lamb,

Milk, Mushroom,
Spinach, Almonds
etc.

Vitamin B3

Niacin or Nicotinic

Pellagra

Acid

Tuna, Chicken,
Turkey,
Mushrooms ,
Bacon, Broccoli,
Veal etc.

Vitamin B5

Pantothenic Acid

Acne, Paresthesia

Chicken Liver,
Sunflower Seeds,
Salmon, Avocados,
Corn, Broccoli,
Mushroom etc.

Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine,

Dandruff-like eruptions, Fish, Beef Liver,

Pyridoxal,

Pink eye, Epilepsy

Pyridoxamine

Potatoes & other

starchy vegetables,
Fruit (other than
citrus) etc.

Vitamin B7

Biotin

Growth & Neurological

Raw Egg Yolk,

Disorders in Infants

Liver, Peanuts,
Yeast, Wholewheat Bread,
Cheddar Cheese,
Pork etc.

Vitamin B9

Folic Acid

Macrocytic Anaemia,

Dark Leafy Greens

Birth Defects

like Spinach,
Asparagus,
Broccoli, Citrus
Fruits, Beans,
Peas, Lentils,
Avocados etc.

Vitamin B12

Various

Macrocytic Anaemia,

Seafood, Beef,

Cobalamins

Memory Loss,

Chicken, Eggs etc.

Pernicious Anaemia,
Mania, Psychosis,
Paralysis
Vitamin C

L-Ascorbic Acid

Scurvy

Amla, Guava,
Chillis, Kiwi,
Broccoli, Orange,
Papaya, Lemon,
etc.

Vitamin D

Calciferol (D2) &

Rickets, Osteomalacia

Cholecalciferol (D3)

Sunlight,
Mushrooms,
Alfalfa, Fish Liver
Oils, Cooked Egg
Yolk, etc.

Vitamin E

Tochopherols &

Red Blood Cell

Wheat Germ Oil,

Tocotrienols

Destruction, Ataxia,

Canola Oil,

Retinopathy, Peripheral

Sunflower Oil,

Neuropathy,

Almond Oil,

Reproductive Failure

Hazelnuts,
Peanuts etc.

Essential

Omega 3 (Alpha

Several bodily processes

Fish Oils, Flaxseed

Fatty Acids

Linolenic Acid) and

afflicted, Skin Ailments

Oil, Hemp Oil,

Omega 6 (Linolenic

Olive Oil, Pumpkin

Acid)

Seeds, Leafy
Vegetables etc.

Vitamin K

Phylloquinone (K1),

Lack of Clotting of

Green Leafy

Menaquinone (K2)

Blood, Lack of Tissue

Vegetables etc.

Renewal
Iron

Anaemia, Arrhythmia

Red Meat,
Seafood, Egg Yolk,

Bananas, Apple,
Green Vegetables,
Broccoli, Beans,
Pumpkin Seeds
etc.
Potassium

High Blood Pressure,

Meat, Milk, Fruits,

Arrhythmia, Muscle

Vegetables, Whole

Weakness, Myalgia,

Grains etc.

Muscle Cramps,
Constipation,
Respiratory Depression,
Paralysis
Calcium

Magnesium

Osteoporosis,

Milk and Milk

Hypocalcemia,

Products, Eggs,

Ostopenia

Wheatgrass etc.

Deterioration of

Nuts and Seeds,

Metabolism & Cellular

Green Vegetables,

Functioning, Heart

Dark Chocolate,

Attacks, Insulin

Whole Grains etc.

Resistance
Sodium

Cognitive Impairment,

Salt, Fish, Meat,

Headaches, Nausea,

Vegetables etc.

Seizure, Coma,
Electrolytic Imbalance
Chlorine

Salt, Milk, Meats,

Vegetables etc.

Phosphorous

Meat, Fish,
Poultry, Eggs,
Milk, Bananas etc.

Iodine

Goitre, Cretinism,

Iodised Salt, Sea

Deterioration of

Food, Green

Protein

Metabolism & Cellular

Vegetables, Raw

Functioning,

Milk, Eggs etc.

Kwashiorkor

Meat, Seafood,
Eggs, Pulses &
Legumes, Milk &
Milk Products etc.

Protein-

Marasmus

Grains, Pulses &

Energy

Legumes, Meat,
Milk & Milk
Products, Eggs,
Seafood etc.

We hope you find this post on deficiency diseases and malnutrition helpful. Go
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