The human body relies upon essential vitamins and minerals in order function. The Institutes of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board provide a list of dietary reference intakes recommending how much of each vitamin and mineral your body needs each day based on gender and age. Failing to consume a healthy diet can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies resulting in medical conditions.
Rickets
Rickets describes a medical condition that affects children who suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. The body requires vitamin D in order to absorb calcium, so a vitamin D deficiency results in a calcium deficiency. Because the sun stimulates the production of vitamin D in the skin, a lack of sunlight can cause a vitamin D deficiency and lead to rickets. Children who cannot effectively absorb nutrients, such as those with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis may also develop rickets. Symptoms include muscle weakness, bone pain and delayed growth. Because bones become soft the child may develop skeletal abnormalities such as bowed legs, curved spine or breastbone projection as described by the MayoClinic.com.
Osteomalacia
Adults with a vitamin D deficiency develop osteomalacia -- a condition characterized by softening of the bones. Osteomalacia most commonly occurs due to conditions interfering with absorption but can also occur due to insufficient intake or sun exposure. Adults with osteomalacia may experience dull aching bone pain and muscle weakness that can lead to bone fractures and increases the risk of developing osteoporosis also known as porous bone disease.
Anemia
The body needs iron, classified as a mineral, to produce proteins such as hemoglobin -- the protein found on red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Without enough iron the body fails to produce enough hemoglobin leads to fewer functioning red blood cells and deprives the cells of oxygen. An iron deficiency causes a condition known as anemia. Anemia causes fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, pale skin and chest pain. Patients with anemia can develop serious complications including arrhythmia -- irregular heartbeat that can lead to heart failure, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Pellagra
Vitamin B-3, also known niacin, helps the body convert food into energy. Vitamin B-3 is also important for supporting healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver. A niacin deficiency causes a medical condition known as pellagra. Patients with pellagra experience diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia.
Scurvy
The body uses vitamin C to produce collagen needed for blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones. In addition vitamin C helps produce the neurotransmitter epinephrine necessary for transmitting signals between nerves and the brain. Failing to consume enough vitamin C causes a condition known as scurvy characterized by hair loss, tooth loss, joint pain and swelling and bleeding that becomes apparent through bruises.
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