Sensory disorders can be an indication, symptom or cause of a nutritional deficiency, toxicity or sensitivity and vice-versa. For example, chemosensory disorders involving smell or taste can impact nutritional status, while nutritional status can impact certain neuromuscular disorders involving tactility, or the sense of touch. There are, however, ways that people with different sensory disorders can compensate for their dysfunction in order to get the nutrition they need.
Chemosensory Disorders
Chemosensory disorders involve an impaired ability to smell and/or taste. In one such disorder called hypogeusia, for example, the individual's ability to taste a specific flavor is disrupted, be it sweet, salty, sour or bitter. These disorders often indicate or accompany obesity, hypertension, diabetes and degenerative nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Effects on Nutrition
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an impairment to the sense of taste or smell can lead to malnutrition and an inability to detect spoilage or contamination in foods. This could adversely impact a person's food choices and intake. In turn, says the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, food choices can impact nutritional status, chemosensory functioning and general overall health. In 2010, oncology researchers in Mexico published a study in the "Nutrition Journal" that found that chemosensory disorders impairing the abilities to detect and recognize the taste of food could play a significant role in the malnutrition of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Recommendations
Steven M. Bromley, M.D. of the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that people with a smell dysfunction enhance the flavor of their food in order to make it more palatable and enjoyable. They recommend people with a taste dysfunction beware of overindulging in heavy seasonings like sugar and spices as a means of compensation for a lack of taste to food. People with either chemosensory disorder are advised to cook with measuring devices, including thermometers and timers, to avoid relying on aroma and taste to determine meal quality and readiness.
Nutrition & Sensory-Related Neuromuscular Disorders
According to the Washington University Neuromuscular Disease Center, a deficiency in or toxicity from certain vitamins and minerals has been associated with a number of sensory-related neuromuscular disorders. Neuropathy, a nerve disorder causing weakness or numbness in one or more peripheral nerves, often in the legs, has been linked to a deficiency in the B vitamins thiamin, niacin and vitamin B12, vitamin E and the mineral copper, and intoxication from pyridoxine. Myopathy, a muscle tissue disorder, has been associated with a riboflavin sensitivity and a deficiency in selenium and vitamins D and E. And myelopathy, a spinal cord disorder, has been linked to a vitamin B12 and copper deficiency.
References
- HealthyPeople.gov; "Hearing and Other Sensory or Communication Disorders"; Jun 2011
- NIH Division of Nutrition Research Coordination; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Oct 2010
- "Nutrition Journal"; Influence of Taste Disorders on Dietary Behaviors in Cancer Patients Under Chemotherapy; Karla Sanchez-Lara, et al.; 2010
- "American Family Physician"; Smell and Taste Disorders: A Primary Care Approach; Steven M. Bromley; Jan 2000
- Washington University Neuromuscular Disease Center; "Vitamin and Nutrition Related Syndromes"; Jul 2011
