Citrus associated with a 10% reduction in odds of developing breast cancer. Oranges were historically used for their high content of vitamin C, which prevents scurvy. Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency, and can be prevented by having 10 milligrams of vitamin C a day. An early sign of scurvy is fatigue. If ignored, later symptoms are bleeding and bruising easily. British sailors were given a ration of citrus fruits on long voyages to prevent the onset of scurvy, hence the British nickname of Limey. Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of plants. Limes and
Vitamin B12 deficiency be considered only if blood testing is inconclusive. The Schilling test was a radio-isotope method, now outdated, of testing for low vitamin B. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that "Large amounts of folic acid can mask the damaging effects of vitamin B deficiency by correcting the megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B deficiency without correcting the neurological damage that also occurs", there are also indications that "high serum folate levels might not only mask vitamin B deficiency, but could also exacerbate the anemia and worsen the cognitive symptoms associated with vitamin B deficiency". Due to the fact