Final answer:
The symptoms of brittle hair and nails, skin rash, and garlic breath odor are related to excessive selenium intake, which can be caused by foods like almonds and organ meats. Consuming these foods in moderation is essential to prevent toxicity called selenosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms described in the student's question, such as brittle hair and nails, skin rash, and garlic breath odor, are associated with an increased intake of selenium. While selenium is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in metabolism and thyroid function, excessive amounts can lead to a condition called selenosis.
Consuming foods like Brewer's yeast, almonds, milk, organ meats, legumes, enriched breads and cereals, broccoli, and asparagus can help maintain adequate selenium levels, but they should be eaten in moderation to avoid toxicity. On the other hand, insufficient intake of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which has symptoms such as bleeding gums, hair loss, and joint pain, but this condition is not characterized by garlic breath odor. Hence, the increased intake of selenium is likely the cause of the described symptoms.