Food is any material food consumed to supply nutrition to the organisms. The majority of the earth’s species are vegetarians or belong to a vegetarian lifestyle. However, food is generally any food that contains necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fat, or minerals, and is consumed to supply energy or sustenance to organisms. The most important category of food is protein because without protein in an organism cannot grow or prosper.
A wide range of diseases can affect an individual, causing them to lose their appetites, become malnourished, experience symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, headaches, weight loss, depression, anemia, an increase in infections, heart disease, bone loss or osteoporosis, or even cancer. One of the most common and most serious nutritional deficiencies is anemia, which can lead to death if left untreated. Anemia may be caused by a low blood count (hypovitaminosis), the reduction of red blood cells (hypervitaminosis), a chronic condition such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, Hepatitis B, or multiple myeloma, or may develop over time due to a low level of certain hormones such as growth hormone or iodine. It commonly occurs in young children who do not receive sufficient amounts of the essential substances such as iron, calcium, and other B vitamins. It commonly affects people with a history of frequent anemia or iron-deficiency anemia. Left untreated, anemia can lead to heart disease, cardiovascular disease, poor muscle development, and poor growth.
In addition to deficiencies in essential substances, a person may be unable to properly absorb nutrients due to a compromised digestive system, leading to a lack of proper nutrition. Some people with poor eating habits, such as binge eating, lack of exercise, and poor nutritional choices may be more likely to develop disorders such as diabetes, a condition that depletes the body of insulin and glucose, and causes organ dysfunction. It is also possible to become deficient in nutrients by consuming foods that are cooked at too high of a temperature or contain chemicals such as hydrogenated fats or coloring that interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients in the body.