Deficency Diseases and Metabolic Disorders
Nutrients required for life sustenance are grouped into 6 basic classes, viz. water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are used as the source of energy and also as structural components in the body. Minerals and vitamins are essential for several physiological functions, including maintenance, production, reproduction and body immunity. The optimum availability and metabolic homeostasis of these nutrients are therefore crucial for optimum health and production. Insufficient quality or quantity of nutrients available to animals, negative nutrient balance in the body and other predisposing factors are responsible for induction of deficiency and metabolic diseases, which adversely affect the health, and production and reproductive performance of animals.