Which type of deficiency could be caused by chronic disease or genetic disorder preventing nutrient absorption?

A secondary deficiency arises when an individual's body is unable to properly absorb nutrients due to a chronic disease or a genetic disorder. Such conditions can affect the gastrointestinal tract or metabolic pathways, leading to inadequate nutrient uptake although nutritional intake might be adequate. This is distinct from a primary deficiency, which typically results from insufficient dietary intake of a nutrient, meaning that the body does not receive enough of that nutrient from food.

The concept of secondary deficiency emphasizes that the underlying health issue is the primary cause of the nutrient deficiency, rather than a simple lack of sufficient nutrition. It's important to recognize the difference between this and a functional deficiency, which relates to how well the body is using the nutrients it does absorb. Nutritional deficiency, on the other hand, is a more generic term that can refer to both primary and secondary causes but does not specifically pinpoint the mechanism as effectively. Therefore, when assessing nutrient deficiencies in the context of chronic illness or genetic predisposition, secondary deficiency is the most accurate and applicable term.