Question

Give the name of two water-soluble vitamins and diseases due to deficiency of them.

Hint:

Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and the B-vitamins, need to be consumed regularly as the body does not store them for long periods. Deficiencies can cause serious health issues like scurvy and beriberi.

Answer 1

Water-soluble vitamins are vitamins that dissolve in water and are not stored in the body for long periods. They need to be replenished regularly through diet. Here are two examples of water-soluble vitamins: 1. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid):
- Function: Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, wound healing, and maintaining the integrity of skin, blood vessels, and bones. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
- Disease due to deficiency: Scurvy. Scurvy is characterized by symptoms such as bleeding gums, joint pain, weakness, and skin rashes. This condition arises due to the lack of collagen synthesis, which Vitamin C is vital for.
- Symptoms: Swollen and bleeding gums, loose teeth, fatigue, and bruising.
2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
- Function: Thiamine plays an essential role in carbohydrate metabolism, as it is a coenzyme in the decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids, and it is vital for nerve function and energy production.
- Disease due to deficiency: Beriberi. There are two types of beriberi: wet and dry. Wet beriberi affects the cardiovascular system, leading to swelling, shortness of breath, and heart failure. Dry beriberi affects the nervous system, causing weakness, numbness, and motor impairment.
- Symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, nerve damage, and swelling in the body.
Water-soluble vitamins are important for overall health, and their deficiency can lead to serious conditions.