The animal breaks down muscles or other tissues to obtain the extra energy needed 3. This is characterized by lethargy, severe anemia, change in hair color, inflammation of the skin, and a pot belly ii. This is prevalent in children just after weaning when their diet switches from milk to a single kind of grain iii. Protein deficiency can result from either insufficient protein in the diet or an improper ratio of essential amino acids iv. Because animals do not store amino acids, each meal must provide the proper proportions of essential amino acids v.
Mineral deficiency causes problems in a wide variety of structures and processes i.
Some minerals are required in large amounts while others are needed in only trace quantities ii. Some minerals are needed in other animals but not in humans iii. Scurvy was shown to be a deficiency of vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which serves as an antioxidant and in reactions that modify collagen iii. There are thirteen essential vitamins required in the human diet iv. In digestion and absorption, food is converted into smaller molecules and taken up into cells 1.