Lesson content about malnutrition continues.

1. VITAMINS
These are organic nutrients that are
mainly obtained from the food you eat.
Although vitamins are only required in
minimal intake, they must still be
considered in promoting good health and
determining proper nutrition.

2. Vitamin A
It is essential micronutrient
found in different foods such as
carrot, spinach, broccoli, milk,
egg, liver , and fish. It is
responsible in maintaining clear
vision, sustaining the process of
reproduction and growth, and
strengthening the immune
system
It also helps in the development
of white blood cells. Vitamin A
deficiency may lead to different
health problems. Symptoms of
vitamin A deficiency include dry
skin, slow growth, thickening of
the bones, and increased risk of

3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency also results
in night blindness. Night
blindness (nyctalopia) is the
inability of the person to see
clearly at night or in relatively
low light. This is due to the
improper functioning of the cells
in the retina, the part of the eye
responsible for vision in dim
light.

4. Vitamin B1
(Thiamine)
It is essential for the proper metabolism of
carbohydrates. It is usually found in cereals, wheat,
meat, and nuts. Severe thiamine deficiency may
result in life-threatening condition called beriberi, a
disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. There are
two types of beriberi: wet and dry beriberi.

5. Wet Beriberi
Affects the heart and the
circulatory system and it can also
cause heart failure. Symptoms of
wet beriberi include shortness of
breath, rapid heart rate, and
swollen lower legs
Dry Beriberi
Damages the nerves that may lead to
loss of muscle streght, and later on,
paralysis. Symptoms of dry beriberi
include decreased muscle functions,
loss of sensation in the feet and
hands, body pain and mental
confusion, difficulty in speaking,
nausea, vomiting, involuntary eye

6. Vitamin B2 (Also called Ribonflavin) It is necessary
for growth and repair of tissues. It
metabolizes proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates.
Vitamin B3
It helps release energy coming from
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is
also utilized in the repair and
restoration of deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA)
Vitamin B6
It is needed for fat and carbohydrate
metabolism as well as in the formation
and breakdown of amino acids. It
regulates blood glucose level and is
necessary to create hemoglobin, the
protein molecule in red blood cells.

7. Vitamin B12 It is important for normal growth,
healthy nerve tissues, and blood
formation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is needed for healthy skin,
bones, teeth and muscles; for
producing and maintaining collagen;
and for fighting infection. Vitamin C
deficiency may lead to a disease called
scurvy.
People with scurvy experience anemia, weakness, exhaustion, swelling
in some parts of the body, slow healing wounds and bruises, and
bleeding and deteriorating gums. Scurvy can be treated by providing
the patient with vitamin C. This can be supplied orally or through
injection

8. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed for proper
metabolism of calcium.
Calcium is responsible for the growth of
bones and teeth. Vitamin D regulates the
calcium and phosphorus levels for normal
bone development. The effects of Vitamin
D deficiency are more observable in
children.
Rickets is a childhood
bone disorder which is
characterized by softening
of the bones and
becoming prone to
fractures and deformity.
Symptoms of rickets are pain or
tenderness in the bones of the arms,
legs, pelvis and spine; stunned growth;
bone fracture; muscle cramps; teeth
deformities; and skeletal deformities
such as bow legs, bumps in the rib
cage, and curved spine.