Toitumisalase

Toitumisalase is a term used in Estonian medicine to describe nutritional deficiency or other nutrition-related disorders. It refers to conditions caused by inadequate intake of energy or nutrients, impaired absorption or metabolism, or increased nutritional needs that outpace intake. The concept covers macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies.

Causes include insufficient or unbalanced diet, chronic diseases affecting digestion or absorption, pregnancy or rapid growth in children, aging, medications, and food insecurity or limited access to diverse foods.

Common examples are iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency, iodine deficiency, and protein-energy malnutrition. More general forms involve multiple micronutrient deficiencies or deficits such as zinc deficiency that affect immunity and wound healing.

Signs and symptoms vary by nutrient but may include fatigue, pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, bone or dental problems, growth delay in children, cognitive changes, and higher infection risk.

Diagnosis combines dietary assessment, clinical evaluation, and laboratory tests (for example full blood count, ferritin, B12, folate, 25‑OH vitamin D, calcium, zinc) along with evaluation for malabsorption and underlying illness.

Management aims to correct shortages through diet, oral or parenteral supplementation, fortified foods, and treatment of the underlying condition. Public health measures seek to prevent deficiencies by improving nutrition and food security.