VITAMINS -IMPORTANCE AND CLASSIFICATION

2.  Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated
nutritional organic compounds that
includes retinol , retinal ,retinoic acid .
 It is important for growth and
development , for the maintenance of
the immune system and good vision.

3.  Vitamin A deficiency is estimated to
affect approximately one third of
children under the age of 5 around the
world.
 Deficiency occurs among children and
adults who do not consume an
adequate intake of provitamin A
caretenoids from fruits and vegetables
or performed vitamin A from animal
and dairy products.

4.  Very few foods in nature contain
vitamin D.
 Most people meet atleast some of their
vitamin D needs through exposure to
sunlight .
 For Example , that approximately 5-30
min of sun exposure between 10am and
3pm atleast twice a week.

5.  Traditionally, vitamin D deficiency has
been associated with rickets in
children, a disease in which the bone
tissue doesn’t properly mineralize,
leading to soft bones and skeletal
deformities.

6.  Vitamin E is a family of fat – soluble
compounds .
 Good dietary sources of vitamin E
include nuts ,such as almonds ,
peanuts and hazelnuts, and vegetable
oils , such as sunflower, wheat germ ,
safflower, corn and soyabean oils .

7.  Low levels of vitamin E can lead to
muscle waekness.
 Vitamin E is essential to central
nervous system.
 It helps in reproduction.

8.  Vitamin K is an important nutrient
that plays a vital role in blood clotting
,bone and heart health.
 Fatty meat5s and liver are excellent
sources for vitamin K2.
 Dairy foods and eggs are high in
vitamin K.

9.  Vitamin K deficiency in adults is rare
but does occur in infants .The main
symptom of vitamin K is excessive
bleeding caused by an inability to form
blood clots.
 If you don’t get enough of vitamin K it
might reduce bone strength and
increase of getting oteoporosis.

10.  The richest sources include : 1) citrus
fruits , such as limes, oranges and
lemons, 2)fortified foods .
 Ascorbic acid contents in unusually
colored bell peppers .
 Ascorbic acid contents in raspberries ,
blackberries , gooseberries etc….

11.  Scurvy happens when there is a lack of
vitamin C or ascorbic acid.This
deficiency leads to symptoms of
weakness , anemia , gum disease and
skin problems.
 Treatment involves taking vitamin C
supplement and eating citrus fruits.

12.  Though each of these vitamins has
unique functions , they generally help
your body produce energy and make
important molecules in your cells.
 Main sources are : 1) salmon ,2)leafy
greens , 3) liver and other organ meats
,4)eggs , 5) milk.

13.  Symptoms of deficiency depend on
what type of vitamin B you lack . They
can range from fatigue and confusion
to anemia or a compromised immune
system. Skin rashes also can occur.
 B-12 causes physical and psychological
symptoms , including nerve problems,
fatigue and difficulty thinking.