Marasmus

Marasmus occurs due to food deprivation over an extended period of time. It is most common in infants and is a case of the child literally starving to death.

The word comes from the Greek for "dying away," which is exactly what happens to a child stricken with this serious condition. It is common in underdeveloped parts of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia and South America. It is associated with extreme poverty where mother and child have limited access to nourishing food.

The hallmark of a child with marasmus is a lack of flesh covering their bones and spindly arms and legs. Due to protein deficiency, the muscles waste away, including the heart muscle, causing weakness and eventually death.

Characteristics

Most common in infants and very young children

Associated with long term protein and energy malnutrition

Failure to grow and develop at normal rate

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting

Fragile skin and hair

Bones apparent through the skin

Little or no subcutaneous fat

Spindly arms and legs

Apathy

Anxiety

Not without hope

The effects of marasmus can be reversed if intervention occurs before too much damage has been done. In severe cases, it requires careful introduction of nutritious food, in small amounts at first, until the patient is sufficiently recovered to handle larger servings.

One aspect related to protein deficiency, is the issue of complete versus incomplete proteins. Foods that contain all of the essential amino acids are called “complete proteins.” These complete protein foods are generally animal foods. Plant foods do not, as a rule, have complete proteins, but by combining certain plant foods, called “complementary proteins, ” you can make a complete protein.

Here is a list of complementary proteins, or proteins that when eaten together become complete.

Legumes... with NutsLegumes... with GrainsLegumes... with SeedsLegumes... with DairyGrains... with DairyNuts/Seeds... with DairyNuts/Seeds... with LegumesDairy... with Nuts/Seeds and Legumes

For example, when you eat beans with rice, such as in Mexican cuisine, you are obtaining a complete protein. The rice and beans complement each other, in that each has some of the essential amino acids and when eaten together, they provide all of the essential amino acids. It's generally believed by nutritionists that it is not necessary to eat these complementary proteins at the same meal.

Vegetarians and Vegans, in particular, should be aware of the importance of the essential amino acids. For more information on vegetarian nutrition, click on this link.

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