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Glite Dictionary
mineral deficiency

mineral deficiency

1 3.8
A lack of important nutrients from food, like iron or calcium, that the body needs to work well
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪnərəl dɪˈfɪʃənsi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : deficiencia mineral
  • Major risk factors include diet and lifestyle (consuming overly processed foods, smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and neglecting exercise), resulting in bone mineral deficiency and poor overall nutrition.
  • vitamin and mineral deficiency
  • correct mineral deficiency

Examples

  • On the downside, there are a stack of vitamin and mineral deficiencies waiting in the wings.

    Blog text (7)

  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which afflict more than 2 billion people, likewise lead to illness, lost productivity, premature death, and less prosperous economies.

    Academic text (2003)

  • We don't run many sheep per hectare here, and they're kept coked up on supplements to counter mineral deficiencies.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The doctor explained that her fatigue was likely due to a mineral deficiency in her diet.

  • Many athletes experience a mineral deficiency if they do not maintain a balanced diet.

  • A mineral deficiency can lead to serious health issues, such as weakened bones and fatigue.

Synonyms

deficiency
vsmineral deficiency
98 4.5

Not having enough of something that is needed

refers to lack of an essential nutrient from food that disrupts body function

Surface Forms

mineral deficiency singular
mineral deficiencies plural

Morphology

mineral + deficiency

The meaning is directly compositional: combining 'mineral' (a nutrient/substance) with 'deficiency' (a lack) yields 'a lack of minerals', which a learner who knows both words can infer. This noun–noun construction is common and parallels similar expressions in many languages, so a B1 learner would readily understand it without prior exposure.

Etymology

Mineral deficiency gives a clear picture: minerals are the tiny nutrients the body needs and deficiency means 'a lack'. So, a mineral deficiency is when the body does not have enough of these minerals, which can 'cause health problems'.