Vitamin

Definition: Vitamins are organic compound occurring in natural foods which are
required in minute amounts for normal growth, maintenance and reproduction.

Provitamins: The substances that possess no vitamin activity but can be

converted into vitamins. e.g. β carotene yields two molecule of vitamin A.
Hence β carotene is called provitamin A.
Avitamins: The substances that are more or less resemble to vitamins in
structure and can replace vitamins from their normal position in the body and
thus hinder their function are called avitamin.
Antivitamins: The substances of natural or synthetic that have antagonistic
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action against vitamin are called antivitamin. eg. Dicumerol are antagonist of
vitamin K.
Classification: Vitamins are classified according to its solubility into two major
groups:

Fat soluble vitamins: They are soluble in fat solvents and are stored in the
body for a long period. They include Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and
Vitamin K.
Water soluble vitamins: They are water soluble and are not stored in the
body. e.g. Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C.
 Differences between fat and water soluble vitamin

Fat soluble vitamin Water soluble vitamin

1. They are soluble in fat. They are soluble in water.
2. They are generally stored in liver. They are not stored in the body.
3. Bile salt and fats are required for They are easily absorbed.
absorption.
4. Normally they are not excreted in They are excreted in urine, when
urine. ingested in excess.
5. Consumption of excess amount of They are non-toxic.
vitamins is toxic.
6. Except vitamin K have no Many of them have coenzyme
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coenzyme function. function.

Sources and functions of fat soluble Vitamins:
Vitamin A
Source: 1). Animal sources: liver, egg yolk, butter, cheese, whole milk and
fish.
2). Plant sources: Green leafy vegetables e.g. Spinach, cabbage.
Colored vegetables. e.g. carrot, pumkin etc.
Function:
1. Vitamin A helps in normal growth and maintenance the integrity of the
epithelial cell.
2. It is the major component in the formation of visual pigments rodopsin.
3. It has anti-infective action.
4. It has immunological roll in defence mechanism.

Deficiency: Eye is the major organ affected by vitamin A deficiency include

1. Night blindness: In ability to see in dim light. The rod cells of retina are
affected (defect in resynthesis of rodopsin), resulting in impairment of
dark adaptation.
2. Xerophthalmia: Abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the
eye, with inflammation and ridge formation, typically associated with
vitamin A deficiency (Dryness of eye).

Visual Cycle (Vitamin A)

 Vitamin D: A group of vitamins found in liver and fish oils, essential for the
absorption of calcium and the prevention of rickets in children and
osteomalacia in adults. They include calciferol (vitamin D2) and
cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).
Source: 1. Natural source: Ultraviolet ray of sunlight is the principal
stimulant to synthesize the vitamin D.
2. Animal sources: liver, egg yolk, butter, fortified milk. [Food of
plant origin generally do not contain vitamin D].

Function:
1. Major function is to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
2. It contributes in the calcification of new bones.
3. It acts as a precursor of hormone.
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4. It helps to the development of teeth.

5. It stimulates the transcription of Ca-binding protein.

Deficiency: Clinical manifestation of vitamin D deficiency include-

1. Rickets in children: Generally found in infant and young children

characterizes by i) Soft bones that are easily bent under the weight of
body. ii) Malformation of pelvis and chest.
2. Osteomalacia in adult: It is adult form of rickets generally found in
female during pregnancy and lactation characterized by soft, painful and
deformed pelvic girdle, ribs femora.
Vitamin E (Anti-sterility factor)
Source: 1. Animal sources: Meat, egg, chicken, milk and fish.
2. Plant sources: Cotton seed oil, sun flower oil, peanut oil etc.
Function:
1. Vitamin E acts as a natural antioxidant (remove free radicals).
2. It is essential for normal reproduction in animal, hence known as an
anti-sterility factor.
3. It is essential for normal function of muscle and feotal development.

Deficiency: Vitamin E deficiency is rare in human.

1. Haemolysis of red blood cell.
2. Sterility.
3. Testicular degeneration.
4. Muscle dystrophy.
5. Megaloblastic anaemia.

Vitamin K (Antihaemorrhagic factor)

Source: 1). Animal sources: Liver, egg yolk, cheese, and dairy product.

2). Plant sources: Green leafy vegetables e.g. Cabbage, cauliflower

spinach.
 Function:
1. It acts as a blood clotting agents.
2. It catalyzes the synthesis of prothrombin, factor VII, IX and X by the
liver.
3. It also plays important role in oxidative phosphorylation.
4. It also acts as cofactor of enzyme.

Deficiency:
1. It prolongs the blood clotting time.
2. Uncontrollable haemorrhage in new born baby.
Vitamin B Complex
Member: The members of vitamin B complex are
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1. Thiamine (B1)
2. Riboflavin (B2)
3. Niacin(B3)
4. Pantothenic acid(B5)
5. Pyridoxine (B6)
6. lipoic acid
7. Biotin(B7)
8. Folic acid(B9)
9. Para-amino benzoic acid
10. Cyanocobalamine (B12) and
11. Inositol.

Thiamine (Anti-beriberi substances):

Source: It is plant and bacterial origin found in peas, bean, pulses, nuts etc.

Function:
1. It acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism.
2. It is essential for normal appetite and digestion.
3. It plays important role in nervous system.

Deficiency: Peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system and

gastrointestinal systems are mostly affected by thiamine deficiency. Clinical
manifestation of thiamine deficiency is termed as beriberi.

Symptoms of beriberi: Weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness and pain, brain
damage, irregular heart rate, heart failure, and death if left untreated.

Cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12):

Source: liver, Kidney, egg, chicken, pork, muscle meat.
Function:
1. Involve in the formation and maturation of RBC.
2. It acts as a coenzyme in DNA synthesis.
3. It produces remission in pernicious anaemia.
 Deficiency:
1. Megaloblastic or pernicious anaemia.
2. Demylinating neurological lesion in the spinal cord.
3. Infertility.

Folic acid:
Source: Animal sources: liver, kidney, egg, milk.
Plant sources: Green leafy vegetables e.g. yeast, cabbage, cauliflower.
Function:
1. It acts as a coenzyme in DNA synthesis.
2. It is used in treatment of pernicious anaemia.

Deficiency:
1. Megaloblastic or pernicious anaemia.
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2. Gastointestinal disturbance.
3. Glossitis.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Source: Plant sources: Amlaki, orange, lemon, guava, pineapple, papaya etc.
Fresh leafy vegetables. e. g. cabbage, cauliflower, green pepper, and spinach.
Animal sources: Meat and milk contain small amount of vitamin C.
Function:
1. It prevents scurvy.
2. It plays important role in the formation intracellular materials.
3. It is involved in collagen synthesis.
4. It helps to absorb iron from intestine.
5. It is associated with metabolism of some amino acid.

Deficiency: Scurvy is major consequence of vitamin C deficiency characterized

by-
1. Increased fragility of capillaries causing haemorrhage.
2. Lesions of the gums leading to bleeding.
3. Delayed wound healing.
4. Loosening of the teeth and cessation of bone growth.
5. Skin eruption, anaemia, and weakness.
6. Increased susceptibility to infection, dental carries, pyorrhea.
Symptoms of scurvy: Scurvy causes lethargy, skin spots, bleeding gums, loss of teeth,
fever, and death.