What are the causes of nutritional metabolic deficiencies? What should we do if nutritional metabolic deficiencies occur?

Protein-energy malnutrition indicates insufficient availability or absorption of energy and protein in the body. Micronutrient malnutrition indicates insufficient availability of some essential nutrients, such as vitamins and trace elements, which are present in small but indispensable quantities in the body. Micronutrient deficiencies lead to a variety of diseases and impair the body's normal functions.

Vitamin B1 deficiency is associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The typical severe neuropsychiatric syndromes it causes are beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy. Its pathological changes mainly include left-right symmetrical perivascular endothelial cell hypertrophy and scattered hemorrhage from the mammillary bodies, hypothalamus, midbrain aqueduct to the fourth ventricle and cerebellar cortex, and intellectual disability. If the reticular structure is involved, there will be impaired consciousness. When vitamin B1 deficiency is accompanied by glucose metabolism disorders, cerebral edema may occur. Neurological symptoms are caused by congestion, edema, and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord due to vitamin B1 deficiency. The above changes are most obvious in the peripheral nerves. The limb nerves, phrenic nerves, cranial nerves at the end of the vagus nerve, etc. are also more susceptible to involvement. Peripheral neuritis, nystagmus, eye movement disorders, ataxia, and occasional retinal hemorrhage are common. The above serious cases are now less common.

Niacin deficiency with mental disorders is also known as pellagra or Pellagra disease. There are many reasons for niacin deficiency, such as insufficient food intake, chronic alcoholism and long-term diarrhea. Niacin deficiency can lead to degeneration of the cerebral cortex, white matter pituitary cells, basal ganglia, and posterior and lateral fasciculi of the spinal cord, causing mental disorders. Some people believe that niacin is a polymethyl receptor, and its deficiency can lead to an increase in catecholamine methylation products, resulting in mental disorders.

In recent years, it has been reported that folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency may play a leading role in some mental illnesses. The role of folic acid has been confirmed in depression and schizophrenia-like diseases. Folic acid deficiency may be related to dementia in elderly patients with mental disorders.