Malnutrition

Malnutrition to the body occurs when the body is not getting enough vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that it needs to maintain healthy tissue and organ function. Loss of nutrients can happen because of diarrhea, heavy bleeding (Hemorrhage), kidney failure or also excessive sweating. Those people with chronic diseases, kidney or liver diseases are at high risk of malnutrition. Losing about 10 pounds or may be a sign of malnutrition, people who may be malnourished can appear skinny or bloated, skin appears pale, thick, dry and bruises so easily, there may be also rashes and changes in pigmentation. The hair also pulls out easily and joints and the bones are soft and tender. Some symptoms of malnutrition can include: * Anemia * Diarrhea * Enlarged thyroid gland * Muscle twitches * scaling and cracking of lips and mouth * Disorientation * Dizziness * Decaying of teeth * Fatigue * Slow reflexes Poverty is one of the reasons why malnutrition occurs in the United States. About 10% of low income families do not always have the choice of healthy food to eat. The human brain must manufacture the right amount of proteins and fats to add myelin (fatty sheath to axons), and to be able to do this one must eat food high in protein and fats. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can be caused by; 1. Starvation 2. Pour diet 3. Alcoholism 4. Damage to the digestive system 5. Infection The brain of a fetus grows fast from the 10th to the 18th week of pregnancy, and so it is important that the mother eats nutritious foods during this period of time. Malnutrition during the time the fetus is still developing may have an effect on the nervous system and can also affect neurons and also glial cells can change myelin development, that’s because myelin continues to form around axons for several years after the birth of an infant. Babies born to mother's