Vitamins: the Good and Bad Trivia Quiz

Answer: A and K

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble, are absorbed in the intestines and carried through the lymphatics to many parts of the body. Vitamins A and D are stored in the liver. Vitamins E and K are stored in the general body fat. Since these vitamins can be stored in large quantities and retained for long periods of time, they are more likely to cause toxic effects, if taken in quantities that greatly exceed the minimum daily requirements (MDR).

Answer: Night blindness

The recommended daily dose for Vitamin A is 2400 IU for women and 3000 IU for men. More than one third of Americans take Vitamin A supplements. Over-the-counter megadose supplements may contain from 10,000 to 30,000 IU of Vitamin A per capsule. The intake of more than 20,000 IU of Vitamin A per day over many months can cause serious side effects. Prolonged ingestion of large doses can cause death from liver damage.

A deficiency of Vitamin A causes night blindness.

Answer: Scurvy

A deficiency of ascorbic acid in the diet causes a weakness of the capillaries, bleeding gums, anemia, and severe weakness. Scurvy was common in prisoners on poor diets and in sailors, with inadequate nutrients, during long trips at sea. In 1753 James Lind, a Scotsman and physician's apprentice, wrote 'A Treatise of the Scurvy'.

He established that adding oranges and lemons to the diet cured the disease. He showed that apple juice was not effective and, thus, the curative substance was in citrus fruits.

Answer: Pellagra

Niacin or Vitamin B-3 improves blood circulation, accelerates the metabolism of proteins, increases energy and reduces blood pressure. A deficiency of B-3 causes pellagra which consists of a skin rash, diarrhea, sores in the mouth and eventually mental deterioration.

It was a moderate problem among crop workers in the U. S. southern States. In 1915 Joseph Goldberg, U.S. Public Health Service, placed volunteer prisoners on an experimental, deficient, diet of cornbread, molasses and pork fat (in exchange for their pardon).

These volunteers developed pellagra and he also proved that pellagra was not contagious. In 1937 Conrad Elhjem discovered that niacin cured pellagra in dogs and then he accomplished the same good results in humans.

Answer: Beriberi

There are two forms of this {disease;} namely 'wet beriberi 'and 'dry beriberi'. The disease is common in countries where the population commonly eats polished rice. The husk of the rice contains a good supply of Vitamin B-1. The disease is characterized by weakness, generalized body pains, mental depression, intestinal upsets and heart problems.

The symptoms were described by a Dutch physician in the {1600's;} but the cause and cure was not discovered until the 1800's.

Answer: Rickets

In 1651 Francis Glission published his book, 'A Treatise of the Rickets: Being a Disease Common to Children'. He noticed that children had deformed legs. Neither the cause nor treatment were known at that time. In 1918 Edward Mellanby experimented on dogs and discovered that cod liver oil prevented rickets.

This led to the discovery that cod liver oil had a high concentration of Vitamin D.

Answer: Folic acid

Spina bifida used to be the most common birth defect in America. Discovery of the cause and the institution of preventive measures has effectively reduced this problem. In the 1950s researchers first suggested a link between folic acid deficiency and neural tube defects in infants. (spina bifida and anencephaly). Folic acid is one of the B vitamins.

In 1992 the U.S. Public Health Department recommended that all women during their child bearing years (ages 15 to 45) consume 0.4 msg. of folic acid per day.

In 1998 the FDA established regulations that required manufacturers of flour, bread, farina, corn grits, oatmeal, rice and noodles to add from 0.43 to 1.4 mgs. folic acid per pound of their products. Women may require both foods rich in folates plus folic acid supplements to achieve adequate amounts to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly in their newborns.

Answer: Increased bone density

Toxcity from this vitamin is not common. The recommended daily dose for children ranges from 2.5 to 10 micrograms (100 IU to 400 IU). Excess intake of magadose supplements that contain large amounts of vitamin D causes an increase in calcium and phosphorus absorption in the intestines and a resorption of these chemicals by the kidneys. Calcium and phosphorus are lost from the bones and deposited in multiple soft tissues of the body, which causes damage to the heart,lungs, blood vessels, muscles and tendons.

Answer: Tocopherol

Tocopherol is vitamin E, which is fat soluble. It acts as an anticoagulant, temperature regulator and appears to boost the body's immune system. Also, it is one of the so-called antioxidants and neutralizes free radicals in the blood stream.

Answer: Pyridoxine

When an atom or molecule looses its electron it becomes highly active, chemically unstable and dangerous to the stability of DNA, proteins, enzymes and other body substances. A chain reaction occurs in which an atom or molecule steals an electron from another vital element.

More that 60 diseases have been identified in which free radicals are considered causative or contributing factors. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and selenium are strong anti-oxidants and neutralize the free radicals. In the body beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A. Contrary to initial hopes beta carotene does not prevent heart disease.