Why does inhibition of a specific enzymatic pathway often lead to vitamin deficiency symptoms, such as those observed in scurvy or beriberi?

💡 Explanation

Inhibition of an enzymatic pathway can indirectly impair the recycling of vitamin-derived cofactors because many pathways depend on these recycled forms to maintain flux; therefore, deficiency symptoms arise as cofactor availability declines, rather than direct effects on vitamin storage or absorption.

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