ALPHA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF HEALTH
SCIENCE
NURSING DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY GROUDP 5
TOPIC: VITAMIN B9 & B12
 INTRODUCTION

 The word vitamin comes from the Latin word

“vita”means “life”
 Vitamins are organic compounds in food that are
needed in every small amounts for growth and for
maintaining good health.
 CASIMIR FUNK
 The history of the
discovery of vitamins is the
history of their deficiency
disorders. Their discoverer
was Casimir Funk in 1911,
who is considered the
'father of vitamin therapy'.
 LUCY WILLS

DISCOOVERED VITAMIN
B9 OR FOLIC ACID IN
1933
 INTRODUCTION OF VITAMIN B9

 Vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid,

is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help
the body convert food (carbohydrates) into
fuel (glucose), which is used to produce
energy. These B vitamins, often referred to
as B-complex vitamins, also help the body
use fats and protein. B-complex vitamins
are needed for a healthy liver, and healthy
skin, hair, and eyes. They also help the
nervous system function properly.
 NUTRITIONAL SOURCES

 Dark green leafy vegetables (turnip greens, spinach, mustard

green, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli collard greens)
 Avocados
 Peanuts.
 Sunflower seeds.
 Papaya
 Lentils
 Liver.
 Beet root
NUTRITIONAL SOURCES
FUNCTION OF VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID)

 Cells and tissues rapid growth during infancy,

adolescence, and pregnancy.
 Mental and emotional health
 Proper brain function
 Production of DNA AND RNA
 Production of RBCs
 DEFICIANCY VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID)

 Anemia
 Tongue inflammation
 Gingivitis
 Muscle weakness
 Shortness of breath
 Diarrhea
 Fatigue
 Forgetfulness
 Mental sluggishness
DEFICIANCY VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID)

Pregnant women need more

folic acid to lower the risk of
Neural tube birth:
 Spinal bifida
 Cleft palate
 Anencephaly
DEFICIANCY VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID)

 Folic acid in the diet seems to protect against the

development of some forms of cancer, including:
 Colon cancer
 Breast cancer
 Cervical cancer
 Pancreatic cancer
 Stomach cancer
CAUSES OF VITAMIN B9 DEFICINCY (FOLIC ACID)

Its fairly common to have low levels of folic acid because

of:

 Alcoholism
 Inflammatory bowel disease {IBD}
 Celiac disease
 Also certain medication may lower levels of folic acid in
the body
SIDE EFFECTS OF FOLIC ACID
INTRODUCTION OF VITAMIN B12

 Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin, like all other

B-vitamins.
 This means it can dissolve in water and travel
through the bloodstream. The human body can store
vitamin B-12 for up to four years. Any excess or
unwanted vitamin B-12 is excreted in the urine.
 Vitamin B-12 is the largest and most structurally
complicated vitamin.
 INTRODUCTION OF VITAMIN B12

 The body needs vitamin B12 in order to create

red blood cells and keep the nervous system
healthy. It is also needed to absorb folic acid
and it helps to release energy. B12 is absorbed
through the intestines from a variety of foods,
but mainly meat, fish and dairy products.
 NUTRIONAL SOURCES OF VITAMIN B12

Foods that are high in vitamin B12

 Human body cant make vitamin B12 on its own, so we need to it from regular
diet or supplements.
 Fish
 Dairy products (Milk, Cheese)
 Red meat
 Almonds
 Eggs
 Crab
 Chicken
NUTRIONAL SOURCES OF VITAMIN B12
 FUNCTION OF VITAMIN B12

 Proper digestion
 Iron absorption
 Metabolism of fat and carbs
 Nerve growth and formation
 Formation of RBC’s
DEFICINCY OF VITAMIN B12
DEFICINCY OF VITAMIN B12
CAUSES OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIANCY

 Atrophic gastritis ,in which your stomach lining has

thinned
 Pernicious anemia ,which makes it hard for your body to
absorb vitamin b12
 Conditions that affect your small intestine , such as
crohn’s disease, celiac disease ,bacterial growth, or
parasite
 Immune system disorders such as Graves disease or
lupus
 RISK GROUPS PRONE TO VITAMIN B12
DEFICIANCY

 Vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat products of

animal origin
 Diabetics on metformin as this drug effects the
absorption of b12
 People aged 60 and over who do not have enough
stomach acid
 THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS?