This document is a report on the role of vitamins in human growth. It begins by defining fat soluble and water soluble vitamins and provides examples of each. The bulk of the document then describes the 13 major vitamins, their natural food sources, and their roles in the body. It concludes by listing references used to compile the information in the report.

1. Assignment Number #02 5 April, 2018
Submitted To
Dr Ejaz Hussain Siddiqi
Role of Vitamins in Human Growth
Submitted By
Zeeshan Akram Hanjra 15211506-050
Section (A) Bs Botany 6th
Biochemistry-I BOT-310

2. Table of Contents
Role of vitamins intro, vitamin A and vitamin B...................................................1
Vitamin B2, B3, B5 and B6.................................................................................2
Vitamin B12, biotin and vitamin C ......................................................................3
Vitamin D and vitamin E.....................................................................................4
Folic acid and vitamin K .....................................................................................5
References .........................................................................................................6

3. Role of vitamins in human growth
Vitamins have specific role to play in the natural wear and tear of the body. There are many
vitamin benefits that have a major impact on our overall health.
Vitamins are divided into two types:
fat soluble
and water soluble.
Fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K):
These are stored in the fat tissues and liver. They can remain in the body up to six months. When
the body requires these, they are transported to the area of requirement within the body with help
of special carriers.
Water soluble vitamins (B-vitamins and vitamin C):
These are not stored in the body like the fat soluble ones. They travel in the blood stream and
need to be replenished everyday.
Here is the list of the 13 major vitamins and what each does for your body:
1. Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene):
Natural source: It is a natural antioxidant. It belongs to a class of pigments known as
carotenoids which include the yellow, red and orange pigments that give many vegetables and
plants their coloring.
Role:Vitamin A has been found to
enhance immune system functions
by supporting and promoting the
activities of white blood cells as
well as other immune related cells.
It also helps to inhibit free radicals
and their damaging effects which

4. have been associated with arthritis, heart disease and the development and progression of
malignant cells (cancer).
2. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
Natural source:It can be found in liver, mushrooms, spinach, milk, eggs and grains. Because it
is water-soluble, there is minimal storage of riboflavin within the body and when dietary intake
is insufficient, deficiency can occur (usually accompanied with other vitamin deficiencies).
Role:Like most B-vitamins, is involved in many cellular functions. Riboflavin is important in
energy metabolism, folate synthesis, conversion of tryptophan to niacin and acts as important
coenzymes (FAD/FMN) involved in many reactions.
3. Vitamin B3 :
Natural source:Also referred
to as nicotinamide and
nicotinic acid, is another
water-soluble, B-vitamin
involved with energy
metabolism.. Niacin can be
found in grains, liver, fish and
chicken
Role:The coenzymes of niacin (NAD/NADH/NADP/NADPH) are necessary for ATP synthesis
(the body’s main energy source), synthesis of fatty acids and some hormones and the transport of
hydrogen atoms. When niacin levels are low, the body can use L-tryptophan (an essential amino
acid) to manufacture the vitamin. Niacin can be found in grains, liver, fish and chicken.
4. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
Natural source:Small amounts of vitamin B5 are found in numerous foods, with high
concentrations found in meats, whole grains, legumes, eggs and broccoli.
Role:Along with most other B-vitamins, is water-soluble and plays an important role in cellular
metabolism, cognitive health and function, enhancing the immune system and supporting the

5. functions of the nervous system. It also aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and
fats (for energy). Vitamin B5 plays a critical role in synthesizing coenzyme A (CoA), which is
involved in the biosynthesis of many important compounds including fatty acids, the transport of
carbon atoms and energy metabolism.
5. Biotin:
Natural source:It is a water-soluble vitamin and is classified as a B-complex vitamin. It is found
in small amounts in foods with its richest sources being egg yolk, liver and yeast.
Role: Biotin functions as an enzyme cofactor involved in metabolic reactions such as the
synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids, the formation of glucose and some amino acid
metabolism. It has also been
shown to improve blood sugar
levels and promote the reduction
of risk of insulin resistance.
6. Vitamin C (Ascorbic
acid):
Natural source:Natural sources
of vitamin C include oranges,
guavas, peppers (green, red,
yellow), kiwis, strawberries, cantaloupes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and many other fruits and
vegetables.It is a water-soluble antioxidant essential for human health and life. It has been
proven necessary for healthy immune responses, wound healing, non-heme iron absorption
(coming from grains and vegetables), reduction in allergic responses, development of connective
tissue components such as collagen, and for the prevention of diseases.
Role:Vitamin C has also been shown to be important for cardiovascular health, reducing free
radical production and free radical damage, and good cognitive health and performance.Due to
human’s inability to produce vitamin C, it is essential to ingest sources containing vitamin C on a
regular, if not daily basis.
7. Vitamin D:

6. Role:It is a fat-soluble vitamin
essential for normal growth and
development, the formation and
maintenance of healthy bones and
teeth, and influences the absorption
and metabolism of phosphorus and
calcium. It is necessary for proper
muscle functioning, bone
mineralization and stability, and
multiple immune functions. Primarily
the vitamin D used by the body is
produced in the skin after exposure to
ultraviolet light from sunlight. Lack of
exposure to sunlight, reduced ability
to synthesize vitamin D in the skin,
age, low dietary intake, or impaired
intestinal vitamin D absorption can
result in deficiency. Deficiency has
been associated with rickets (poor
bone formation), porous or weak
bones (osteopenia, osteoporosis) pain
and muscle weakness, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, impaired cognitive health, and
the development and progression of malignant cells (cancer).
Natural food: sources of vitamin D are few; these foods are eggs from hens that have been fed
vitamin D or fatty fish such as herrings, mackerel, sardines and tuna. Due to low vitamin D
levels, countries such as the United States and Canada have opted to fortify foods such as milk
and other dairy products, margarines and butters, some natural cereal and grain products.
8. Vitamin E:
Role:It is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body. It has been proven to
help promote cardiovascular health, enhanced immune system function, aid in skin repair and to

7. protect cell membranes from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E contributes to proper
blood flow and clotting as well as cognitive health and function.
Natural sources: of vitamin E include herbs such as cloves and oregano, whole grains, nuts and
seeds, wheat germ, avocado, egg yolks, and vegetables/fruits such as dark leafy greens, peppers
(red, yellow, orange, green), tomatoes, and mangos. Other sources are vegetable oils, margarines,
and fortified cereals.
9. Folic Acid:
Natural source:It is water-soluble vitamin important for many aspects of health. Sources of folic
acid include dark, green leafy vegetables such as spinach or asparagus, fortified cereals, orange
juice and legumes.
Role: Folic acid (folate) must go through
a series of chemical conversions before it
becomes metabolically active to be
properly utilized within the body.
10.Vitamin K:
Role:It is a generic term for a group of
fat soluble vitamins, are involved mostly
in the process of blood clotting, but also
needed in metabolic pathways of bones
and other tissues. The most known ones
are vitamin K1, also known as
phylloquinone, and vitamin K2, known
as menaquinone. Vitamin D and vitamin
K work together in bone metabolism
and development. Vitamin K works
against oral anticoagulants such as
warfarin, and excessive vitamin K
intake, either through supplementation

8. or a change in diet, can reduce the anticoagulant effect.
Natural source: Vitamin K1 is mainly found in leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, swiss
chard and kale), avocado and kiwi fruit;vitamin K2 can be found in meat, eggs, and dairy and is
also synthesized by bacteria in the colon.

9. References
 "Vitaminology". Mosby's Medical Dictionary (8th ed.). 2009.
 Bender, David A. (2003). Nutritional biochemistry of the vitamins. Cambridge, U.K.:
Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-80388-5.
 Bolander FF (2006). "Vitamins: not just for enzymes". Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 7 (10):
912–5. PMID 17086936.
 Fortmann, SP; Burda, BU; Senger, CA; Lin, JS; Whitlock, EP (12 Nov 2013). "Vitamin
and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and
Cancer: An Updated Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force". Annals of Internal Medicine. 159 (12): 824–34. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-159-12-
201312170-00729. PMID 24217421.
 Maton, Anthea; Jean Hopkins; Charles William McLaughlin; Susan Johnson; Maryanna
Quon Warner; David LaHart; Jill D. Wright (1993). Human Biology and Health.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-981176-1. OCLC
32308337.
 Use and Safety of Dietary Supplements NIH office of Dietary Supplements.