ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

Vitamin C is stored in the body in low amounts because:

1. It is water-soluble and excreted through urine

2. It is fat-soluble and stored in fat tissues

3. It is not synthesized in the body

4. It is rapidly utilized by the body

The correct answer is: It is water-soluble and excreted through urine

The rationale for selecting the first option centers around the nature of vitamin C as a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins, which include vitamin C, do not get stored in the same way that fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E, and K) do. Instead, the body absorbs what it needs and any excess is typically excreted through urine. This means that individuals need to regularly consume vitamin C in their diet as the body does not have significant reserves for long-term storage. While the other factors, such as the fact that vitamin C is not synthesized in the body and that it might be rapidly utilized, play roles in overall vitamin C dynamics, the key reason for low storage amounts is primarily because it is water-soluble and thus readily excreted rather than retained. This highlights the importance of consuming adequate amounts of vitamin C continually through food sources such as fruits and vegetables.