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 explain how deficiency causes the symptoms. Include in your answer the vitamin functions that are compromised

Joan spent her afternoon at a health fair and had a bone density screening done. Her results indicated that her bone density is lower than normal. Joan talked with her doctor and he recommended that she begin taking a calcium supplement that included vitamin D and make an appointment for a DXA scan to confirm the screening results.

Question 2: Explain to Joan the reason the doctor recommended a calcium supplement that included vitamin D. Include in your answer the role of vitamin D in calcium and bone metabolism.

Answer 1

Boyd 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.

It is likely the deficiency of vitamin C.

It is known as ascorbic acid, it is a powerful antioxidant which helps the body in a various way. Boyd limits certain vegetables and restricts fruits and dairy products which likely to cause this deficiency.

Vitamin C helps in immunity by encouraging the production of lymphocyte and phagocyte so, deficiency of this vitamin leads to low immunity, this is the main cause that even a little scratch takes a long time to heal and frequently become infected.

Vitamin c increases iron absorption which helps in red blood cell production so, inadequate vitamin C in the body causes anemia which is the main reason for Boyd's gums bleed. Due to anemia he also feels fatigued.

Vitamin C protects our blood vessels and skin from oxidative damage so, deficiency can lead to damage of blood vessels and skin which leads to blood leakage out from blood vessels, It is the main reason for weird little red spots on Boyd's arms.