Understanding Vitamin Deficiencies: Historical Perspectives

This chapter examines the 18th-century vitamin B deficiency epidemic in Italy and its spread to the U.S., highlighting the public health initiatives aimed at combating it through food enrichment. The discussion reveals the socioeconomic impacts on dietary habits and how government policies can inadvertently shape nutritional needs and cravings. Anecdotes and storytelling illustrate the broader implications of nutrition, both for humans and animals, emphasizing the importance of food quality and source.