Vitamins and Their Deficiency Diseases with Food Sources

Vitamins & Deficiency – GK Questions

🔹 Basic Level

  1. Which vitamin is essential for good vision?
  2. Deficiency of which vitamin causes night blindness?
  3. Which vitamin is known as ascorbic acid?
  4. Lack of which vitamin leads to scurvy?
  5. Which vitamin helps in blood clotting?
  6. Deficiency of which vitamin causes rickets in children?
  7. Which vitamin is also called the sunshine vitamin?
  8. What disease is caused by deficiency of vitamin B1?
  9. Which vitamin is important for healthy skin?
  10. Deficiency of which vitamin leads to anemia?

🔹 Intermediate Level

  1. Which vitamin deficiency causes beriberi?
  2. Pellagra is caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?
  3. Which vitamin is necessary for calcium absorption?
  4. Deficiency of vitamin B12 affects which system of the body?
  5. Which vitamin deficiency causes bleeding gums?
  6. Which vitamin is important for the nervous system?
  7. What happens due to lack of vitamin K?
  8. Which vitamin deficiency causes weak bones?
  9. Which vitamin is stored in the liver?
  10. Which vitamin helps in wound healing?

🔹 Advanced Level (Exam-Oriented)

  1. What is the chemical name of vitamin D?
  2. Which vitamin deficiency causes glossitis (inflamed tongue)?
  3. Which vitamin deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia?
  4. Which vitamin is required for collagen synthesis?
  5. Which vitamin deficiency causes osteomalacia in adults?
  6. Which vitamin is also known as tocopherol?
  7. Which vitamin acts as an antioxidant?
  8. Which vitamin deficiency leads to poor night vision?
  9. Which vitamin deficiency causes fatigue and nerve damage?
  10. Which vitamin is essential for red blood cell formation?

Vitamins & Deficiency – Answers with Explanations

🔹 Basic Level

  1. Vitamin A
    👉 Essential for vision, especially in low light conditions.
  2. Vitamin A
    👉 Its deficiency affects the retina, causing night blindness.
  3. Vitamin C
    👉 Also called ascorbic acid, important for immunity and healing.
  4. Vitamin C
    👉 Deficiency leads to scurvy, causing bleeding gums and weakness.
  5. Vitamin K
    👉 Helps in blood clotting; deficiency can cause excessive bleeding.
  6. Vitamin D
    👉 Required for bone development; lack causes rickets in children.
  7. Vitamin D
    👉 Called the “sunshine vitamin” because it is produced in sunlight.
  8. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
    👉 Deficiency causes beriberi, affecting nerves and muscles.
  9. Vitamin A
    👉 Keeps skin healthy and supports tissue repair.
  10. Vitamin B12 / Iron-related anemia
    👉 Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to anemia due to poor RBC formation.

🔹 Intermediate Level

  1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
    👉 Causes beriberi, leading to weakness and nerve issues.
  2. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
    👉 Deficiency causes pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia).
  3. Vitamin D
    👉 Helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.
  4. Nervous system
    👉 Vitamin B12 deficiency damages nerves and affects brain function.
  5. Vitamin C
    👉 Leads to bleeding gums due to weak blood vessels.
  6. Vitamin B complex (especially B1, B6, B12)
    👉 Important for proper nerve function.
  7. Excessive bleeding
    👉 Due to impaired blood clotting from vitamin K deficiency.
  8. Vitamin D
    👉 Causes weak or soft bones due to poor calcium absorption.
  9. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
    👉 These are stored in the liver and fatty tissues.
  10. Vitamin C
    👉 Helps in collagen formation and wound healing.

🔹 Advanced Level

  1. Calciferol
    👉 Chemical name of Vitamin D.
  2. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
    👉 Deficiency causes glossitis (inflamed tongue).
  3. Vitamin B12 / Folic Acid (B9)
    👉 Leads to megaloblastic anemia (abnormal RBCs).
  4. Vitamin C
    👉 Required for collagen synthesis (skin, tissues, healing).
  5. Vitamin D
    👉 Causes osteomalacia (soft bones) in adults.
  6. Vitamin E
    👉 Also known as tocopherol.
  7. Vitamin E / Vitamin C
    👉 Both act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage.
  8. Vitamin A
    👉 Causes poor night vision or night blindness.
  9. Vitamin B1 / B12
    👉 Leads to fatigue and nerve damage.
  10. Vitamin B12
    👉 Essential for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis.

Vitamins Revision Table

VitaminDeficiency DiseaseMajor Sources
Vitamin ANight blindness, dry skinCarrot, spinach, milk, eggs
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)BeriberiWhole grains, nuts, legumes
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Glossitis, cracked lipsMilk, eggs, green vegetables
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)PellagraMeat, fish, peanuts
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)Anemia, nerve issuesBananas, potatoes, cereals
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)Megaloblastic anemiaLeafy vegetables, beans
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)Anemia, nerve damageMeat, dairy products, eggs
Vitamin CScurvy (bleeding gums)Citrus fruits, amla, guava
Vitamin DRickets (children), osteomalacia (adults)Sunlight, fish, milk
Vitamin EMuscle weakness (rare)Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils
Vitamin KExcessive bleedingGreen leafy vegetables

🧠 Quick Memory Tips

  • A → Eyes (Night blindness)
  • B1 → Beriberi
  • B3 → Pellagra (3 Ds: Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia)
  • C → Scurvy (Gums bleed)
  • D → Bones (Rickets)
  • K → Clotting (K = Koagulation)