Vitamins Vitamins Vitamin A (retinol)
Functions Fat Soluble Needed for the formation and maintenance of mucous membrane, skin and bone Needed for vision in dim light
Deficiency Increased susceptibility to infection Impaired vision, blindness Inability to see in dim light (night blindness or nyctalopia) May also develop Bitots spots, corneal xerosis, keratomalacia and ultimately xeropthalmia Toad skin skin becomes dry, scaly and rough
Food sources Liver, kidney, milk, fat fortified margarine, eggs, yellow and dark green leaves
Vitamin A ( beta caroteneVitamin A precursor or provitamin A)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Acts as an anti-oxidant; prevents damage to cell membrane and the contents of the cells by repairing damage caused by free radicals Needed in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous and their utilization in bone formation, nerve and muscle activity
Muscle loss, nerve damage Anemia Weakness
Wheat germ, vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, milk fat, egg yolk and nuts
Vitamin D (calciferols)
Weak deformed bones (children) Rickets is characterized with soft, pliable, rachitic bones that can not withstand ordinary strains and stresses resulting in bowed legs, knocked-kneed and beaded ribs the rachitic rosary Bone pain, muscular tenderness,
Vitamin D fortified milk, irradiated foods, some in milk fat, liver, egg yolk, salmon, tuna fish, sardines Best source are fish liver oils Sunlight converts 7dehydrocholesterol (in the skin) 1
hypocalcemic tetany Osteoporosis(adults) reduction of bone density and presence of pseudofractures
to cholescalciferol
Vitamin K (menaquinones, phylloquinones)
Essential component of the mechanism that causes to clot Aids in the incorporation of calcium into bones
Bleeding resulting to anemia, bruises Underlying condition is hypoprothrombinemia leading to prolonged clotting time Decreased calcium in bones
Liver, soybean oil, green leafy vegetables, wheat bran, synthesized by the intestinal bacteria
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Water soluble Vitamins Essential for growth, normal appetite, digestion and healthy nerves Helps body release energy from carbohydrate ingested Facilitate growth and maintenance of nerve and muscle tissue Promotes normal appetite
Fatigue, weakness, anorexia Nerve disorders, encephalopathy called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome the signs ranging from mild mental confusion to coma , apathy Impaired growth Heartt irregularities Edema in wet beri-beri polyneuritis( a thiamin deficiency disease)
Pork liver, organ meats, legumes, whole grains and enriched cereals and breads, wheat germ, potatoes
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Helps body capture and use energy released from carbohydrate, protein and fats Aids in cell division Promotes growth and tissue repair Promotes normal vision
Reddened lips, cracks on both corners of mouth (cheilosis fissuring of lips and angular stomatitis cracks in the slkin of the corners of the mouth)
Milk and dairy products, organ meats, green leafy vegetables, enriched cereals and breads, eggs
fatigue
Vitamin B3 ( niacin)
Helps body capture and use energy released from carbohydrate, protein and fats Assist the body in the manufacture of fat Helps maintain normal nervous system functions
Skin disorders Nervous and mental disorders Diarrhea, indigestion Fatigue Pellagra ( a niacin deficiency disease) with the 3 Ds; dermatitis, dementia and diarrhea
Fish, liver, meat, poultry, many grains, eggs, peanuts, legumes enriched grains
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Needed for the release of energy from fat and carbohydrate
Fatigue, sleep disturbances, impaired concentration Vomiting, nausea
All plant and animal food Best sources are eggs, kidney, liver, salmon and yeast Probably synthesized by intestinal flora 3
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Needed for reactions that build proteins and protein tissues Assists in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin Needed for normal RBC formation Promote normal functioning of the nervous system
Irritability, depression Convulsions, twitching Muscular weakness Dermatitis near the eyes Anemia Kidney stones
Pork, glandular meats, cereals, bran and germ, milk, egg yolk, oatmeal, legumes
Vitamin B9 Folate, folic acid, folacin
Needed for reactions that utilize amino acids (the building block of proteins) for protein tissue formation Promotes the normal formation of red blood cells
Megaloblastic anemia Diarrhea Red, sore tongue In pregnancy- neural tube defects, low birth weights
Green leafy vegetables, organ meats (liver), lean beef, wheat, eggs, fish, dried beans, lentils, cow peas, asparagus, broccoli, collards, yeast
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Needed for bodys manufacture of fats, protein and glycogen
Depression, fatigue, nausea Hair loss (alopecia), dry, scaly skin (seborrheic dermatitis) Muscular pain
Liver, mushrooms, peanuts, yeast, milk, meat, egg yolk, most vegetables, banana, grapefruit, tomato, watermelon, strawberries Synthesized by the intestinal flora
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Helps maintain nerve tissue Aids in reactions that build up protein tissues Needed for RBC development
Neurological disorders (nervousness, tingling sensation, brain degeneration) Pernicious anemia Fatigue
Liver, kidney, milk and dairy foods, meat, eggs Vegans must be given supplements
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Needed for the manufacture of collagen Helps the body fights infection and repair wounds Acts as an anti-oxidant Enhances iron absorption
Bleeding and bruising easily due to weakened blood vessels, cartilage and other tissues containing collagen Slow recovery from infections and wound healing Fatigue, depression Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency disease
Citrus fruits, tomato, melon, peppers, greens, raw cabbage, guava, strawberries, pineapple, potato, kiwi
