ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

When were vitamins and their importance in health and wellness discovered by European doctors?

1. 1300s

2. 1600s

3. 1800s

4. early 1900s

The correct answer is: early 1900s

The discovery of vitamins and their significance for health and wellness became prominent in the early 1900s. This period marked critical advancements in the understanding of nutrition and the identification of specific vitamins essential for bodily function. Research during this time revealed that certain diseases were linked to vitamin deficiencies, highlighting the role these compounds play in maintaining health. For instance, in the early 1900s, scientists identified vitamins such as vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C, which were found to be crucial for preventing diseases like scurvy and rickets. This understanding shifted the focus towards not only macronutrients but also micronutrients and their dietary importance, leading to the development of dietary guidelines that included recommendations for vitamin intake. In contrast, earlier centuries like the 1300s, 1600s, and 1800s lacked the scientific knowledge and methodology required to isolate and understand the role vitamins played in health, which is why the early 1900s is recognized as the pivotal time for these discoveries.