Vitamins and Their Deficiencies

Questions and Answers

or is plentiful in citrus fruits and helps maintain healthy , bones, skin, and ___.

Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, Capillaries, Teeth

or deficiency causes stiffness and the disease beriberi. Nausea, apathy, and loss of _____ are signs of deficiency.

Thiamin, Vitamin B, Appetite

____ or _ contributes to body ____ and production.

Riboflavin, Vitamin B2, Growth

or _ helps make nonessential amino acids, which are used to build body cells.

Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine Signup and view all the answers

or __ is needed to have a healthy system and _ membranes.

Niacin, Vitamin B3, Nervous, Mucous Signup and view all the answers

_____ is not found in plant foods. It is necessary to maintain healthy _ cells and to make genetic material.

Vitamin B12, Red blood Signup and view all the answers

_____ or _ is especially important in women before and during _ and _____.

Folate, B9, Pregnancy, After birth Signup and view all the answers

_____ or promotes _ growth and development.

Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B5, Normal Signup and view all the answers

What are the three forms of vitamin A?

Retinol, retinal, retinoic acid Signup and view all the answers

They promote good ____ and help maintain tissues and . Deficiency can cause rough, scaly skin and infections in the respiratory tract.

Vision, Skin Signup and view all the answers

Some ___________ is made by the body through the action of sunlight on the skin.

Vitamin D Signup and view all the answers

_ protects cells from damage.

Vitamin E, Oxidation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vitamin C

Plentiful in citrus fruits; essential for maintaining healthy capillaries, bones, skin, and teeth.
Deficiency leads to poor appetite, weakness, bruising, and joint soreness.

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

Deficiency results in stiffness and beriberi, with symptoms like nausea, apathy, and loss of appetite.
Important for muscle development; found in whole-grain and wheat breads and cereals.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Contributes to body growth and red blood cell production.
Rare deficiency indicated by light sensitivity, gritty eyes, sore tongue, and mouth sores.
Primarily obtained from milk and dairy products.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Essential for making nonessential amino acids used in building body cells.
Rare deficiency signs include skin disorders, confusion, irritability, and insomnia.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Necessary for maintaining a healthy nervous system and mucous membranes.
Deficiency (pellagra) causes skin lesions and digestive problems; rare with a balanced diet.
Commonly found in cornmeal.

Vitamin B12

Not present in plant foods, crucial for healthy red blood cells and genetic material.
Deficiency symptoms include fatigue, weakness, nausea, sore mouth or tongue, loss of appetite, and limb numbness.

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Especially important for women during pregnancy and postpartum.
Aids in protein utilization; deficiency can lead to anemia, making individuals feel tired and weak.
Sourced from leafy green vegetables.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Promotes normal growth and development; found in a variety of foods.
Deficiencies are rare due to its wide availability in the diet.

Vitamin A

Exists in three forms: retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid.
Essential for maintaining vision, skin health, and immune function.

Vitamin K

Promotes good vision, skin health, and tissue maintenance.
Deficiency can cause rough skin and increase the risk of infections; symptoms include night blindness and potential for total blindness in children.
Found in foods like leafy greens and broccoli.

Vitamin D

Synthesis occurs in the body via sunlight exposure; also found in fortified milk, egg yolks, and fatty fish.

Vitamin E

Protects cells from oxidative damage; essential for immune function.
Deficiency is rare, though food processing can impact vitamin content.

Description

This quiz covers essential vitamins such as C, B1, B2, B6, and B3, along with their roles in the body and the consequences of their deficiencies. Understand how these nutrients contribute to health and the signs to watch for when they are lacking. Test your knowledge on dietary sources and physiological impacts of these vitamins.