Everything about Carbohydrate Deficiency Diseases - Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy. The energy provided by the carbohydrate is in the form of glucose. As it is an essential part of human nutrition, it should not be excluded from the diet.

In case one’s body is carbohydrate deficient, it will utilise fats and protein for energy. Ketosis is one such condition that falls under carbohydrate deficiency diseases. It occurs when glycogen in the human body is depleted.

Carbohydrate deficiency diseases constitute a category of health conditions that occur due to a lack of carbohydrates present in the human body.

Most people avoid carbohydrates in order to avoid gaining weight. Skipping carbohydrates makes you prone to several carbohydrate deficiency diseases. The symptoms of carbohydrate deficiency are as follows –

• Insufficient energy
• Low appetite
• Nausea 
• Constipation 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue
• Halitosis (Bad breath)
• Dehydration

Carbohydrate intolerance causes this nutrient’s deficiency in the human body. There are two carbohydrate intolerance types, primary and secondary. Primary intolerance takes place when one’s body lacks an enzyme due to some genetic defects since birth. Secondary intolerance type occurs due to other diseases. Furthermore, intolerance for different carbohydrate-rich foods such as vegetables, beans, milk and fruits, leads to a deficiency of carbohydrates.

Individuals having obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and gastrointestinal diseases are more prone to developing carbohydrate deficiency diseases. Moreover, these diseases are also inherited genetically.

The diseases caused due to a lack of carbohydrates in one’s body are –

• Diabetes
• Galactosemia
• Ketosis 
• Hunter Syndrome
• Hurler Syndrome
• Mucopolysaccharidoses
• Mucolipidosis
• Pompe Disease

Aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, juice therapy, osteopathy and Chinese traditional herbal medicine are used to treat diseases caused by deficiency of carbohydrates.

Consuming starchy vegetables and carbohydrate-rich fruits can prevent such diseases. Diseases caused by the lack of carbohydrates can be prevented with an intake of 50 to 100 grams of carbs daily.

According to The Australian Dietary Guidelines, carbohydrates should produce 45-60% of the body's energy. A proper balance in the intake of carbohydrates and protein is essential. Therefore, carbs are essential for the human body and should be a part of the diet. Following these measures will help you prevent carbohydrate deficiency diseases.