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Funk, Casimir -- biochemist

Polish biochemist came to the United States in 1915 and became a citizen in 1920. Credited with the discovery of vitamins, Funk stirred public interest with his 1912 paper on vitamin deficiency diseases. He coined the term vitamine (now vitamin) and later postulated the existence of four such materials which he stated were necessary for normal health and for the prevention of deficiency diseases. Funk contributed to knowledge of the hormones of the pituitary and sex glands and emphasized the importance of the balance of hormones and vitamins.

From: Wally West

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