Functional changes

CLINICAL NUTRITION

Lesson 2: Protein calorie malnutrition

Functional chang

When a deficiency of these essential nutrients exists, biochemical alterations develop which result in the “piling up” of certain metabolites and in the altered metabolism of others. Following biochemical lesions, various functional changes occur. These functional changes are manifested clinically by symptoms. They include such common complaints as excessive fatigability, disturbances in sleep, inability to concentrate, “gas”, heart consciousness, and various queer bodily sensations. Although these symptoms are definitely nonspecific in that they may be caused by many factors other than malnutrition, their occurrence as a manifestation of tissue depletion of certain nutrients is indisputable.