Which nutritional deficiency disease did Miner's Lettuce help gold rush participants prevent?
Answer
Scurvy
The historical significance of Miner's Lettuce is closely linked to its role as a survival food during periods when fresh produce was scarce, particularly among gold rush participants in the American West. The primary ailment they faced due to a lack of fresh greens was scurvy. This debilitating condition is caused by a severe deficiency in Vitamin C. The high concentration of Vitamin C in this wild green provided the necessary nutrient to support immune function and prevent the bleeding gums, fatigue, and tissue breakdown characteristic of scurvy.
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