COMPONENTS OF NUTRITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

COMPONENTS OF NUTRITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

Nutrition is the physiological process by which the body assimilates food for growth, maintenance, and repair. It plays a central role in maintaining health and preventing diseases. In Ayurveda, proper nutrition is equated with Ahara—the foremost pillar of life (Trayopasthambha).

अन्नं हि प्राणिनां प्राणः तद्विहीनाः प्राणिनोऽप्यजीविषवः।
(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 27/349)
"Food is indeed the life-breath of living beings; without it, life cannot exist."

COMPONENTS OF NUTRITION
Nutrients are broadly classified into two types: macronutrients and micronutrients.

MACRONUTRIENTS
These are required in large amounts and provide energy.

• Carbohydrates:

  • Major energy source (4 kcal/g).

  • Includes simple sugars (glucose, fructose) and complex carbohydrates (starch, fiber).

  • Deficiency leads to fatigue, weight loss.

• Proteins:

  • Essential for tissue repair, enzyme synthesis, and immune function (4 kcal/g).

  • Composed of amino acids (essential and non-essential).

  • Deficiency causes kwashiorkor, poor immunity.

• Fats (Lipids):

  • Energy-dense (9 kcal/g), component of cell membranes, hormones.

  • Includes saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats.

  • Deficiency causes poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

• Water:

  • Crucial for physiological processes like digestion, temperature regulation.

  • Constitutes ~60% of adult body weight.

  • Dehydration leads to fatigue, confusion, electrolyte imbalance.

MICRONUTRIENTS
These are needed in small amounts but are essential for biochemical processes.

• Vitamins:

  • Fat-soluble: A, D, E, K

  • Water-soluble: B-complex, C

  • Function as coenzymes, antioxidants, hormone precursors.

  • Deficiencies cause conditions like scurvy (vit. C), rickets (vit. D), etc.

• Minerals:

  • Macro-minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus.

  • Trace elements: Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Copper, Selenium.

  • Deficiencies lead to anemia (iron), goiter (iodine), etc.

FIBER

• Important for bowel health and glycemic control.

• Types: Soluble and Insoluble

• Prevents constipation, reduces cholesterol.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS

• Rasa (Taste) guides digestion and nutrition.

• Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and Prabhava influence tissue nourishment (Dhatu poshana).

• Ahara Rasa transforms into Rasa Dhatu, which further nourishes all other Dhatus.

यः पुनः पथ्यमाहारं नियतं सेवते नरः।
तस्य रोगा न सन्त्येव बलवर्णसमन्वितः॥
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutrasthana 8/24)
"He who regularly consumes wholesome diet will not be afflicted by disease and will possess strength and good complexion."

CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

BASED ON DEFICIENCY

• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)

  • Kwashiorkor: Protein deficiency with adequate calories.

  • Marasmus: Deficiency of both calories and proteins.

  • Common in children under 5 years.

• Micronutrient Deficiency Disorders

  • Vitamin A Deficiency: Night blindness, xerophthalmia.

  • Vitamin D Deficiency: Rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults.

  • Iron Deficiency: Microcytic hypochromic anemia.

  • Iodine Deficiency: Goiter, cretinism.

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Megaloblastic anemia, neurological symptoms.

BASED ON EXCESS

• Overnutrition

  • Obesity: Excess calorie intake.

  • Hypervitaminosis (esp. Vitamin A & D).

  • Dyslipidemia, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic Syndrome.

AYURVEDIC CLASSIFICATION

• Santarpanajanya Vyadhi (Diseases due to overnutrition)

  • Sthaulya (Obesity), Prameha (Diabetes), Agnimandya, Aamavata.

• Apatarpanajanya Vyadhi (Diseases due to undernutrition)

  • Karshya (Emaciation), Daurbalya, Shosha.

शरीरधातुक्षयात् शोको दीर्घरोगश्च जायते।
(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 28/11)
"Due to depletion of body tissues, grief and chronic diseases arise."

ETIOLOGY (HETU) OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

• Faulty dietary habits (Mithya Ahara).

• Poor appetite (Agnimandya).

• Gastrointestinal diseases causing malabsorption.

• Recurrent infections.

• Poor socioeconomic status.

• Improper complementary feeding in infants.

PATHOGENESIS (SAMPRAPTI)

• Agnimandya → Improper digestion → Formation of Ama → Inadequate Ahara Rasa → Dhatu Kshaya

• Leads to Karshya, Daurbalya, or Sthaulya, depending on excess or deficit.

MODERN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Malnutrition leads to impaired immune function, poor wound healing, developmental delays.

• Obesity causes insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies impair enzymatic functions and cell metabolism.

DIAGNOSIS OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

• Clinical signs and symptoms

• Anthropometry: BMI, MUAC, Skin fold thickness

• Biochemical tests:

  • CBC for anemia

  • Serum vitamin levels

  • Lipid profile

  • Thyroid function (for iodine-related disorders)

• Dietary assessment

PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

• Balanced diet (as per Pathya-Apathya principles).

• Fortification and supplementation programs.

• Early detection and intervention.

• Community awareness and education.

• National programs like ICDS, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Anemia Mukt Bharat.