vitamins in an easy wasy

1. Vitamins

2. Vitamins
A vitamin is an organic compound and a
vital nutrient that an organism requires in
limited amounts.
An organic chemical compound (or
related set of compounds) is called a
vitamin when the organism cannot
synthesize the compound in sufficient
quantities, and it must be obtained
through the diet.

3. Definition and
Classification
Non-caloric organic nutrients
Needed in very small amounts
Facilitators – help body processes
proceed; digestion, absorption,
metabolism, growth etc.
Some appear in food as precursors
or provitamins

4. Definition and
Classification
2 classes
Fat soluble:
Water soluble:

5. Definition and Classification of
Vitamins

6. Fat vs. Water Soluble Vitamins
Water Soluble Fat Soluble
Absorption Directly to
blood
Lymph via CM
Transport free Require carrier
Storage Circulate freely In cells with fat
Excretion In urine Stored with fat
Toxicity Less likely More Likely
Requirements Every 2-3 days Every week

7. Definition and
Classification
Fat soluble vitamins
Found in the fats and oils of food.
Absorbed into the lymph and
carried in blood with lipid protein
transporters = chylomicrons.
*Stored in liver and body fat and
can become toxic if large amounts
are consumed.

8. Definition and
Classification
Water soluble vitamins
Found in vegetables, fruit and
grains, meat.
Absorbed directly into the blood
stream
Not stored in the body and toxicity
is rare. Alcohol can increase
elimination, smoking, etc. cause
decreased absorption.

9. The B VitaminsB-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-12

10. B-1 Thiamin
Important in:
Producing energy from
carbohydrates
nerve function
appetite
growth
Muscle function

11. Sources of B-1
Fish
Liver
Legumes
Nuts
Whole grain or enriched breads
and cereals

12. Warnings
B-1 is nontoxic even at high
dosages

13. B-1 Deficiency
Beri Beri
(Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome)
Loss of appetite
Weakness, Impaired muscle contractions
Loss of weight
Depression
Heart & Gastrointestinal problems
Impaired cardiac function, edema and muscle twitches
Decreased neurological function and memory loss

14. Who’s at Risk?
Malnourished
Alcoholics, Heavy alcohol interferes with
absorption.
Malabsorption

15. Riboflavin
Involved in energy metabolism;
part of two co-enzymes, FMN and
FAD
Participate in citric acid cycle and
beta oxidation and electron
transport
Remove ammonia during
deamination of some amino acids
Associated with antioxidant
glutathione peroxidase

16. B-2 Riboflavin
Important in:
energy production
carbohydrate, fat, and protein
metabolism
formation of antibodies and red
blood cells
cell respiration
maintenance of good vision, skin,
nails, and hair

17. Sources of B-2
Milk
eggs
meats
leafy green vegetables
enriched grains

18. Deficiency/Toxicity
Deficiencies are rare although
some people may take in marginal
amounts
Drug and alcohol users and
restricted caloric intake
Ariboflavinosis
Toxicity– not observed

19. B-2 Deficiency
Itching and burning eyes
Cracks and sores in mouth and lips
Dermatitis
Oily skin

20. Warnings
B-2 is nontoxic at supplemental
and dietary levels.
Light can destroy riboflavin, so
purchase milk in opaque
containers.

21. Who’s at Risk?
People with Sickle Cell Anemia
Alcoholics
Malnutrition

22. Niacin (Nicotinic Acid)
Made from tryptophan; essential nutrient if
protein intake is inadequate
60 mg tryptophan converts to 1 mg niacin

23. Functions of Niacin
NAD and NADP play key role in
oxidation-reduction reactions
Helps convert pyruvate to lactate
Coenzyme component that
participates in over 200 metabolic
reactions.

24. B-3 Niacinamide &
Niacin
Important in:
energy production
maintenance of skin and tongue
improves circulation
maintenance of nervous system
health of the digestive track
Lowers cholesterol when used in
higher doses

25. Medicinal uses of niacin
Lowers blood levels of LDL cholesterol
Raises HDL cholesterol
Doses of 1,300 mg to 3,000 mg per day
Side effects include liver abnormalities
Taken only under medical supervision

26. Warnings
In very high doses some times (“niacin flush”)
occurs

27. B-3 Deficiency
Pellegra (4 D’s)
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Dementia
Death

28. B-6 Pyridoxine
Important in:
Production of red blood cells
conversion of tryptophan to niacin (B-3)
immunity
nervous system functions
reducing muscle spasms
maintaining proper balance of sodium and
phosphorous in the body

29. Warnings
nerve damage.
Caution for Pregnant women

30. B-6 Deficiency
nervousness, insomnia
loss of muscle control, muscle
weakness
arm and leg cramps
water retention
skin lesions

31. Who’s at Risk?
very rare
alcoholics
patients with kidney failure
women using oral contraceptives

32. B-12 Cobalamin
Important in:
proper nerve function
production of red blood cells
metabolizing fats and proteins
prevention of anemia
DNA reproduction
energy production?

33. Warnings
Vegetarians
Malabsorption

34. B-12 Deficiency
Pernicious anemia
nerve damage
hypersensitive skin

35. Deficiency disease is
pernicious anemia
Autoimmune disease,
Megaloblasts and macrocytes
rather than normal red blood cells
Brain abnormalities and spinal cord
degeneration which can be lethal
Atrophy of gastric parietal cells
leading to diminishes intrinsic
factor synthesis and B12 reduced
absorption.

36. Vitamin C

37. Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid (Toxic to
viruses,bacteria, and some
malignant tumor cells)
Antioxidant
water-soluble

38. Functions of Vitamin C
Antioxidant—
- donates electron minimizing free radical
damage;
- Recycles oxidized vitamin E for reuse
Collagen synthesis
Stabilizes reduced form of folate enzyme
Enhances absorption of non-heme iron.
Proper functioning of immune system

39. Sources of Vitamin C
Leafy Greens vegetables, Citrus
Fruits

40. Deficiency of C causes:
Weight loss
fatigue and joint pain
scurvy (bruising easily, bleeding
gums, and tendency for bones to
fracture)
reduced resistance to colds and
infections
slow healing of wounds and
fractured bones