Answer : (C) Vitamin C
Step 1 — Identify the vitamin
Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, a water-soluble vitamin.
Step 2 — Note the deficiency disease
A lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, whose symptoms include bleeding and spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, slow healing of wounds and general weakness.
Step 3 — Explain why it must be taken regularly
Vitamin C is water soluble, so it is not stored in the body — any excess is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. It must therefore be supplied in the diet every day.
Good sources are citrus fruits, amla (Indian gooseberry) and green leafy vegetables.
Step 4 — Check the other vitamins
| Vitamin | Deficiency disease |
|---|
| A | Night blindness, xerophthalmia |
| C | Scurvy |
| D | Rickets (children), osteomalacia (adults) |
| E | Muscular weakness, sterility |
Historical note : scurvy was common among sailors on long voyages who went months without fresh fruit.
