2. Intro
Both Vitamin A and Vitamin C are necessary
for proper immune system function.
3. Vitamin A
Fat-soluble
“Vitamin A” is actually a term that refers to a
group of substances that include retinol
(preformed Vitamin A), retinal, retinoic acid,
retinyl esters.
“Vitamin A” can also refer to precursor
compounds known as carotenoids.
Absorbed in the small intestine (70-90%);
more than 90% located in liver
4. Structure of Vitamin A
Source: http://www.bio-pro.de/en/region/stern/magazin/00403/index.html
5. Vitamin A: Functions
Growth (production of HGH, normal functioning of osteoblasts
and osteoclasts)
Reproduction
Embryonic development (retinoic acid influences cell
differentiation)
Vision (eye uses retinal to transduce light into neural signals and
retinoic acid to maintain cornea/conjuctival membrane
differentiation which prevents xerophthalmia)
Gene expression (retinioic acid regulates expression of encoding
genes for structural proteins, enzymes, extracellular matrix
proteins, and retinol binding proteins and receptors)
Immune function (retinol regulates lymphocyte physiology)
Glycoprotein synthesis
6. Carotenoids
Plant pigments – deep colors
alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene,
lutein, xeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin
alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-
cryptoxanthin can be converted in Vitamin A
(provitamin A)
Fat-soluble
Absorbed in the intestine and stored in
tissues
7. Vitamin A: Food Sources
Preformed Vitamin A (retinol) is found in
animal-based foods such as liver, dairy, and
fish.
Also prevalent in fortified grains
Carotenoids as provitamin A are found in
darkly pigmented plant products such as
spinach, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, and
vegetable-beef/chicken soup.
All are also found in supplement form
9. Vitamin A Deficiency:
Causes
Absorption is enhanced by fat, and
diminished by diarrhea, intestinal infections,
and infestations.
Deficiency is rare in developed nations, but
common in developing countries
10. Vitamin A Deficiency:
Consequences
Most common condition is xerophthalmia
(irreversible drying of conjunctiva and cornea)
Affects 3-10 million children/year
Starts with night blindness, then continues into
conjuntival xerosis, Bitot’s spots, corneal xerosis,
corneal ulceration, and scarring)
Decreased immune function/increased risk of
infectious morbidity/mortality
No known deficiency effects from
underconsumption of carotenoids.
11. Vitamin A Toxicity:
Causes
>=30,000 mcg/day for months-years is
chronic toxicity
>= 150,000 mcg in single or short-term doses
is acute toxicity (less in children)
Excludes beta-carotene
12. Vitamin A Toxicity:
Consequences
Acute Toxicity:
Effects are transient and include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure
Vertigo
Blurred vision
Loss of muscular coordination
Bulging fontanel in infants
Chronic Toxicity:
Less specific and more varied symptoms including:
Birth defects
Liver abnormality
Reduced bone mineral density
CNS disorders
Possible teratogenicity
Infants and children can also experience bone tenderness/pain, increased
intracrancial pressure, desquamation, brittle nails, mouth fissures, alopecia,
fever, headache, lethargy, irritability, weight loss, vomiting, and hepatomegaly.
14. Vitamin A DRI’s
Vitamin A DRI’s were based on assurance of
adequate liver stores for age 19 – 70 YO
For 1-18 YO, the adult EAR was extrapolated
For 0-6 MO, average Vitamin A intake from human milk
was used
For 7-12 MO, the infant EAR was extrapolated
Pregnancy and lactation
Lack of evidence to determine DRI for provitamin A
forms
UL was determined using risk of liver abnormalities
or teratogenocity
RAE = Retinol Activity Equivalent
16. Vitamin A Summary
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin important for
immune function, growth, embryonic development,
immunity, and vision.
Vitamin A can come as a preformed version
(retinol), or as provitamin A (carotenoids).
Vitamin A DRIs are represented as Retinol Activity
Equivalents (RAEs)
Vitamin A DRIs were determined using assurance of
adequate liver stores
The RDA for adult males and females for Vitamin A
is 900 mcg and 700 mcg, respectively.
17. Vitamin C
Also known as ascorbic acid
Water-soluble
Absorbed in intestine by an Na+ dependent
active transport (high concentrations use
passive transport)
Also regulated by the kidneys (conservation
and excretion)
Stored in pools throughout the body
22. Vitamin C Deficiency:
Causes
Rare in developed countries, although is
seen in diets that lack fruits and vegetables,
older men, and lower socioeconomic status
23. Vitamin C Deficiency:
Consequences
Scurvy, which includes symptoms such as
follicular hyperkeratosis, petechiae,
ecchymoses, coiled hairs, inflamed and
bleeding gums, perifollicular hemorrhages,
join effusions, arthralgia, impaired wound
healing, dyspnea, edema, dry eyes and
mouth, weakness, fatigue, depression
Infantile scurvy includes bone abnormalities,
hemorrhagic symptoms, and anemia
24. Vitamin C Toxicity
Large doses (> 3,000 mg/day)
Diarrhea and other GI disturbances
No other adverse effects
26. Vitamin C DRIs
DRIs were determined by estimates of body
pool or tissue Vitamin C levels that were
considered adequate for antioxidant
protection and minimal urinary loss
Women have higher blood levels
Smokers have a higher requirement
UL determined by occurrence of osmotic
diarrhea and GI disturbances
27. Vitamin C Summary
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant.
Vitamin C is water-soluble.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables,
especially citrus fruits.
Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy and its
associated symptoms.
Extremely high amounts of more than 3,000 mg/day
of Vitamin C can result in diarrhea and GI
disturbances
The RDA for adult males and females for Vitamin C
is 90 mg/day and 75 mg/day, respectively.