Nutrition plays a vital role in a person’s overall health and well-being. Not getting enough of the recommended nutrients over the long-term can lead to malnutrition which often results in disease and illness.
In a 3-page paper, written in APA format using proper spelling/grammar, address the following:
- Define malnutrition and identify a specific disease that can result from it.
- Perform library research about the selected disease, and explain its physiological effects on a person’s body.
- Describe the relationship between specific foods/nutrients and the disease. Use the questions below to guide your response.
- Does research indicate that a lack of specific foods/nutrients increase a person’s chance of contracting the disease?
- Are there specific foods/nutrients that should be avoided by an individual afflicted with the disease?
- How do specific foods/nutrients work physiologically within the body to help combat the disease?
- Evaluate nutritional recommendations to help combat the disease.
- Cite at least 3 credible references and present the resources in APA format on the References page.
For information about the impact of diseases on body systems and assessing the credibility of resources, consult the resources below.
Answer preview
Nutritional Recommendations for Combatting Kwashiorkor
Proteins, minerals, and vitamins are paramount when treating kwashiorkor. During treatment, nutritionists will often gradually add protein in the diet mixed with carbohydrates. Some excellent food sources for this are eggs, legumes or plant proteins, and easily digestible meats. 5 to 7 grams of proteins daily is recommended for children suffering from Kwashiorkor (Singh & Seth, 2017). Doctors may also use penicillin within the first one and a half weeks of treatment to fight off any infections. After the first-week, iron therapy is recommended by exploring foods like liver or iron supplements. Vitamins found in fruits, juices, and vegetables are introduced into the diet from the onset of treatment. Other options like the use of Vitamin A or blood transfusion are used in severe kwashiorkor cases, which are rare, for example, in case of severe anemia, collapse, or shock.
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