KPDS question, uncompleted sentence

[mehmetmamger]

31. Iron deficiency is one of the commonest causes of anemia ----.

A) since even in a good diet the supply of iron is only just adequate

B) why adolescents outgrow their stores of iron

C) which would result in brittle nails

D) although new ways of treating pernicious anaemia were soon introduced

E) as numerous iron preparations are available for treatment

Choice A was suggested as the right choice by one of the respected writers in Turkey; however, I couldn't find any cause and effect relationship between these clauses. To me, C seems to be a better choice. What would you go for?
Thank you very much in advance.

PS: Meanwhile, if A was written as below, I would accept it:

The supply of iron is only just adequate even in a good diet; therefore, a wide range of people experience iron deficiency, which is one of the commonest causes of anemia.

For a discussion on the same question in Turkish language, click here.

[mehmetmamger]

At least somebody tell me something about the possibility of C, please. :)

[Tdol]

A) works for me as it explains why iron deficiency, which is not the only cause, is the commonest cause. Since here means because, so it does provide the link.

[Ouisch]

C is a valid answer, because brittle nails are a symptom of iron deficiency.

A is contradictory; by definition, a "good" diet would be one that is adequate in iron.

[Tdol]

I don't really agree with A being contradictory- the implication is that a good diet is adequate, but many people do not eat good diets, so would eat insufficient iron, thus getting anemia. Also, wouldn't C only work if it were the only or most important symptom?

[Ouisch]

I don't really agree with A being contradictory- the implication is that a good diet is adequate, but many people do not eat good diets, so would eat insufficient iron, thus getting anemia. Also, wouldn't C only work if it were the only or most important symptom?

The way A is worded, however, doesn't say that many people do not eat good diets. It just says that "even in a good diet the suppy of iron is only just adequate." And, in terms of iron consumption, too much can be dangerous, so "just adequate" should be sufficient. Oh well, I'm confusing myself now. I think they should just toss this question and proceed to the lightning round.

[rewboss]

C doesn't work grammatically; it's a conditional, but there is no condition -- no "if" clause or similar. To make it work, you'd need to remove "would" and make it into a relative clause:

Iron deficiency is one of the commonest causes of amnesia which results in brittle nails.

[mehmetmamger]

C doesn't work grammatically; it's a conditional, but there is no condition -- no "if" clause or similar. To make it work, you'd need to remove "would" and make it into a relative clause:

Iron deficiency is one of the commonest causes of amnesia which results in brittle nails.

But it looks conditional to me.

Iron deficiency is one of the commonest causes of anemia, which would result in brittle nails (if it was not cured)

A "can", "may", "might" and even "could" may be work better, though.

Iron deficiency is one of the commonest causes of anemia, which can/may/might/could result in brittle nails.