CF
Science & Medicine

Casimir Funk

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Who

Casimir Funk · Science & Medicine

What

Coined the term 'vitamine' and advanced vitamin-deficiency theory

When

1884, Warsaw, Poland (Russian Empire) — 1967, Albany, United States

Where

Poland · Switzerland · United Kingdom · United States

Biography

Casimir Funk is recognized among Jewish contributors to Science & Medicine — Coined the term 'vitamine' and advanced vitamin-deficiency theory

How & why

Casimir Funk was a biochemist who in 1912 coined the term 'vitamine' (later 'vitamin') and formulated the vitamin-deficiency theory of diseases such as beriberi, scurvy, pellagra and rickets. His concept reoriented nutrition science toward essential micronutrients. He was born into a Jewish family in Warsaw and later worked in Britain and the United States.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Britannica; Encyclopaedia Judaica

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Contributions & Sources

Coined the term 'vitamine' and advanced vitamin-deficiency theory

1912

Source: Britannica; Encyclopaedia Judaica