Question

Boyd is very overweight, smokes and is on a high protein weight loss diet for the past three months that limits certain vegetables and restricts fruits and dairy. The supplement suggested for this diet upsets his stomach, so he doesn’t take it. Lately he’s been feeling very fatigued and has noticed that when he brushes his teeth, his gums bleed and he has weird little red spots on his arms. Any little scratch takes a long time to heal and frequently become infected. Fearing something serious like cancer, Boyd makes an appointment with his physician for an examination. Physical examination and blood test results show that Boyd is suffering from a vitamin deficiency.

Question 1: Based on Boyd’s symptoms, determine which vitamin is most likely deficient and how you came to that conclusion. Explain to Boyd what his RDA is for this vitamin. Discuss dietary changes that Boyd could make to increase his intake and provide him with examples of foods rich in this vitamin. Include in your response specific data, facts, examples, key terminology and other information drawn from the textbook and at least one other supplemental source.

Answer 1

ANSWER - VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY :

Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen production, a protein that is abundant in connective tissues like skin, hair, joints, bones and blood vessels.When vitamin C levels are low, a skin condition known as keratosis pilaris can develop.In this condition, bumpy “chicken skin” forms on the back of the upper arms, thighs due to a buildup of keratin protein inside the pores.Keratosis pilaris caused by vitamin C deficiency typically appears after three to five months of inadequate intake and resolves with supplementation. VITAMIN C is required for collagen formation, thus it deficiency lead to slow healing of wounds due to absence or slow collagen formation and last Red, swollen, bleeding gums are another common sign of vitamin C deficiency. Without adequate vitamin C, gum tissue becomes weakened and inflamed and blood vessels bleed thus more easily leading to bleeding in gums.

Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is defined as “the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all healthy individuals in a group. RDA is determined by the rate of turnover and rate of depletion of an initial body pool of 1500 mg vitamin C and an assumed absorption of ≈85% of the vitamin at usual intakes.The RDAs are determined primarily on the basis of prevention of deficiency.The current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C for adult nonsmoking men and women is 60 mg/d, which is based on a mean requirement of 46 mg/d to prevent the deficiency disease scurvy.

THE VARIOUS SOURCES FOR VITAMIN C INCLUDES

RED AND GREEN PEPPER

BROCCOLI

ORANGE JUICE

KIWIFRUIT

LEMON

FRESH STRAWBERRIES

BRUSSELS SPROUTS