VITAMINS

Iqra Yasmeen
17975
 The word "vitamin" comes from the Latin word
“vita”, means "life".
 Vitamins are organic components in food that
are needed in very small amounts for growth
and for maintaining good health.
 Everybody must eat a certain amount of
vitamins to stay healthy.
 Vitamins are chemicals found in very small
amounts in many different foods.
• CHARACTERISTICS:
• Vitamins are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized
by the body.
• Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in human tissues. Their excess is excreted with
urine.
• Significant amounts of fat soluble vitamins can be stored in adipose tissue and the liver.
• FUNCTIONS:
• Vitamins are helpful for the health and life of the body in the following respects:
• (a) They build up the resistance of the body against diseases.
• (b) Prevent and cure various diseases caused by deficiency.
• (c) Help the digestion and utilization of mineral salts and Carbohydrates in the body.
• (d) Help health protection.
• (e) Help maintenance of proper health and normal growth.
• CLASSIFICATION:
• On the basis of their solubility vitamins are mainly
2 types-
• Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins that dissolve in fat.
The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K.
• Water soluble vitamins: Vitamins that dissolve in
water. Water-soluble vitamins include the B-
complex vitamins and vitamin C. There are eight B
vitamins, including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6,
B7, B9 and B12.
• FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS (A, D, E, K )
• VITAMIN A: Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds, that
includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids, among which
beta-carotene is the most important.
• Sources of Vitamin A:
• Animal sources: Milk, Meat, Fish, Liver, Eggs.
• Plant sources: Green leafy vegetables, yellow fruits, red palm oil
• Characteristics of Vitamin A: Formation of blood cells and gene transcription. It is
mainly necessary for body tissue repair, to maintain the skin and mucous membranes in
good health. Build and take care of bones, hair, nails, teeth.
• FUNCTIONS:
• Vitamin A plays a role in a variety of functions throughout the body, such as:
• Vision, Gene transcription, Immune function, Embryonic development and reproduction,
Bone metabolism, Hematopoiesis (the production of blood cells and platelets), Skin and
cellular health.
• VITAMIN D:
• It is also called SUNSHINE VITAMIN. it is available in 2 forms-
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is made from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the
skin of animals and humans. Calciferol - D2 is obtained artificially by
irradiation of ergo- sterol and is called ergocalciferol.
• FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN D:
• Calcium Balance. Cell Differentiation, Immunity, Blood Pressure
Regulation, Development of Bones & Teeth.
• VITAMIN E:
• Vitamin E naturally occurring anti-oxidant.
• It is also called anti-aging factor.
• FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN E
• Antioxidant (most powerful natural)
• Protects cell membranes
• Protection of double bonds in polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Vitamin E also plays a role in neurological functions, and inhibition of
platelet aggregation.
• Vitamin E also protects lipids and prevents the oxidation of polyunsaturated
fatty acids.
• VITAMIN K:
• Vitamin K is naturally produced by the bacteria in the intestines.
• It is essential for production of a type of protein called prothrombin & other factor
involve in blood clotting mechanism. Hence it is known as anti – hemorrhagic
vitamin.
• FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN K:
• CLOTTING – it prevents hemorrhage only in cases when there is defective
production of prothrombin
• OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION – it acts as a co- factor in oxidative
phosphorylation associated with lipid.
• WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS:
• Water soluble vitamins are found in yeast, grain, rice, vegetables, fish,
and meat.
• They also act as co- enzymes for metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates
and fats. They include-
• B1- Thiamine , B2 – Riboflavin, B3 – Niacin, B5 – pantothenic acid,
B6 –Pyridoxine, B7 – Biotin, B 9- Folic acid, B12 –Cobalamin,
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE):
• It is also called Anti Beri-Beri factor, Anti Neurotic factor, and also Aneurin.
• It is colorless basic organic compound.
• All living organisms use thiamine, but it is synthesized only in bacteria, fungi, and plants.
• Contains sulfur and nitrogen group
• Destroyed by alkaline and heat
• Functions of Vitamin B1
• The production of energy from food
• The synthesis of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA)
• The conduction of nerve impulses
• The normal function of the heart
• The normal function of the nervous system
Vitamin B2:
• Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. It is crucial for
breaking down food components, absorbing other
nutrients, and maintaining tissue.
• Sources: milk, meats, poultry, fish, enriched breads,
cereals, broccoli, spinach, and asparagus
• Functions of Vitamin B2: Maintenance of normal red
blood cells, convert food (carbohydrates) into glucose,
which is used to produce energy, convert vitamin B6 and
vitamin B9 into active forms.
• VITAMIN B3 (NIACIN): Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin or nicotinic
acid. It is essential for metabolism of carbohydrate, protein & fat.
• FUNCTIONS OF NIACIN (VIT B3): Vitamin B3, helps in releasing energy from
carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Vitamin B3, is very essential for the DNA
synthesis. It is essential for production of estrogen progesterone & testosterone. It
is also helpful in reducing migraine headaches. Vitamin B3, is very essential for
the proper digestion of the food.
• VITAMIN B5 (PANTOTHENIC ACID): Vitamin B5 is also known
as Pantothenic Acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. This word derived from
Greek word pantos meaning everywhere.
• FUNCTIONS OF VIT B5 (PANTOTHENIC ACID): Vitamin B5 plays an
important role in helping release energy from sugars, starches, and fats.
Vitamin B5 is important for releasing energy stored as fat, it is equally
important for the creation of fat.
Vitamin B Complex: B6: Pyridoxine,
pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine Essential for
protein metabolism and absorption.
Functions of Vitamin B6: Make
neurotransmitters, which carry signals from one
nerve cell to another produce hormones, red
blood cells, and cells of the immune system
control (along with vitamin B12 and vitamin B9)
blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that
may be associated with heart disease normal
protein and glycogen metabolism
Vitamin B7: Vitamin B7, also called biotin,
vitamin H or vitamin B8, is a colorless, water-
soluble member of the B vitamin group. Biotin can
only be synthesized by bacteria, molds, yeasts,
algae, and by certain plant species.
Sources include liver, egg yolk, soy flour, cereals,
and yeast
Functions of Vitamin B7: Activate protein/amino
acid metabolism in the hair roots and fingernail
cells. the maintenance of normal skin and mucous
membranes.
• VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID): It is also known as folic
acid, folacin or folate. It is a water soluble vitamin. It is a
yellow crystalline substance.
• FUNCTIONS OF VIT B9: Formation of RBC – folic acid in
combination with vitamin B12 is essential for formation,
maturation. Hair & Skin – it is essential for the health of skin &
hair, Pregnancy – it is an important nutrient for the pregnant
women & her developing fetus & folic acid improves the
lactation.
• DNA synthesis , Transfer of single carbon units, Synthesis of
adenine and guanine, Neurotransmitter formation.
Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble
vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and
nervous system, and for the formation of blood. The body can store
vitamin B12 for years in the liver.
• Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid: It is a water-
soluble vitamin. This means that it dissolves in
water and is delivered to the body’s tissues but
is not well stored, so it must be taken daily
through food or supplements.
• Vitamin C plays a role in controlling infections
and healing wounds.
• The vitamin helps make several hormones and
chemical messengers used in the brain and
nerves.