Sir Edward Mellanby

Sir Edward Mellanby (1884-1955) was a British biochemist and nutritionist known for his significant contributions to our understanding of vitamins. He is best recognized for discovering vitamin D's role in preventing rickets, a childhood bone disorder. Through his research, Mellanby demonstrated that a deficiency of this vitamin leads to impaired calcium absorption, crucial for healthy bone development. He also studied the impact of diet on health and the importance of nutrition in preventing diseases. His work laid the foundation for modern dietary guidelines and highlighted the importance of vitamins in human health.