ABSTRACT
Optimal nutrition, in contrast, promotes the best possible performance. An eating pattern is suggested that will normally supply good nutrition. Lost nutrients must be replaced by the nutrients found in one’s food. Nutritional insufficiencies or excesses may cause psychic disturbances as well as problems with the peripheral nervous system affecting sensory or motor function. Energy is needed for biochemical reactions within cells. Energy is needed for transport of such nutrients as calcium, sodium, and potassium in and out of cells to help maintain the normal intracellular and extracellular environments. Most of the calcium in the body resides in bone and in tooth enamel. In dietary deficiency of calcium, deposit of calcium into bones is impaired further if magnesium is deficient. Severe deficiency of magnesium can produce tetany, which is indistinguishable from the tetany of hypocalcemia. Nonneural signs of chronic deficiency include brittle fingernails, hair, and teeth. Animals show a reddening of paws and ears, which may be transient or persistent.
