Editing Nutrition (section)

== Nutrient deficiency ==
{{See also|Malnutrition}}
Nutrient deficiencies, known as [[malnutrition]], occur when an organism does not have the nutrients that it needs. This may be caused by suddenly losing nutrients or the inability to absorb proper nutrients. Not only is malnutrition the result of a lack of necessary nutrients,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mora |first1=Rafael J.F. |title=Malnutrition: Organic and Functional Consequences |journal=World Journal of Surgery |date=June 1999 |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=530–535 |doi=10.1007/PL00012343 |pmid=10227920 }}</ref> but it can also be a result of other illnesses and health conditions. When this occurs, an organism will adapt by reducing energy consumption and expenditure to prolong the use of stored nutrients. It will use stored energy reserves until they are depleted, and it will then break down its own body mass for additional energy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mora |first=Rafael J.F. |date=1 June 1999 |title=Malnutrition: Organic and Functional Consequences |journal=[[World Journal of Surgery]] |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=530–535 |doi=10.1007/PL00012343 |pmid=10227920 }}</ref>

A balanced diet includes appropriate amounts of all essential and non-essential nutrients. These can vary by age, weight, sex, physical activity levels, and more. A lack of just one essential nutrient can cause bodily harm, just as an overabundance can cause toxicity. The Daily Reference Values keep the majority of people from nutrient deficiencies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/dietary-reference-values#:~:text=DRVs%20are%20key%20concepts%20in,at%20population%20and%20individual%20level | title=Dietary reference values &#124; EFSA | date=5 August 2024 }}</ref> DRVs are not recommendations but a combination of nutrient references to educate professionals and policymakers on what the maximum and minimum nutrient intakes are for the average person.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/dietary-reference-values | title=Dietary reference values &#124; EFSA | date=5 August 2024 }}</ref> Food labels also use DRVs as a reference to create safe nutritional guidelines for the average healthy person.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nutrition |first=Center for Food Safety and Applied |date=2024-03-13 |title=Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels |journal=FDA |language=en}}</ref>