Vitamins

• What is the definition of a vitamin?

  Essential for normal metabolism
• Why must vitamins be ingested?

  To prevent disorders of metabolism
• What are the two groups of vitamins?

  • Fat-soluble: A, D, E, K
  • Water-soluble: B group and C
• What are the fat-soluble vitamins?

  A, D, E, and K
• What are the water-soluble vitamins?

  B group and C
• What is the function of Vitamin A?

  Essential to vision and immune function
• What are the dietary sources of Vitamin A?

  Animal sources and beta carotene
• What deficiency symptoms are associated with Vitamin A?

  Night blindness and skin problems
• What is the function of Vitamin D?

  Regulation of calcium uptake in the body
• What deficiency leads to rickets in children?

  Vitamin D deficiency
• What is the function of Vitamin E?

  Protects polyunsaturated fatty acids from peroxidation
• What deficiency symptoms are associated with Vitamin E?

  Red blood cell fragility and skeletal pain
• What is the function of Vitamin K?

  Major role in the coagulation cascade
• What deficiency occurs in newborns related to Vitamin K?

  Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn
• What is hypervitaminosis?

  Too much of fat-soluble vitamins
• What is the RDA for Vitamin A for females?

  700 mcg/day
• What is the UL for Vitamin A?

  3000 mcg/day
• What are the acute symptoms of Vitamin A toxicity?

  Vomiting and blurry vision
• What is the function of Vitamin B1?

  Involved in conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA
• What deficiency leads to Beriberi?

  Vitamin B1 deficiency
• What is the function of Vitamin B2?

  Electron transfer in metabolism
• What deficiency is associated with Vitamin B2?

  Ariboflavinosis
• What is the function of Vitamin B3?

  Electron transfer and coenzyme formation
• What deficiency leads to Pellagra?

  Vitamin B3 deficiency
• What is the function of Vitamin B5?

  Required for synthesis of coenzyme A
• What is the function of Vitamin B6?

  Co-enzyme for amino acid metabolism
• What deficiency is associated with Vitamin B6?

  Rare but can lead to microcytic anaemia
• What is the function of Vitamin B7?

  Attached at the active site of carboxylases
• What deficiency is associated with Vitamin B7?

  Rare but can lead to a scaly rash
• What is the function of Vitamin B9?

  Coenzymes in single carbon transfer reactions
• What deficiency leads to neural tube defects?

  Vitamin B9 deficiency
• What is the function of Vitamin B12?

  Biological methylation reactions
• What deficiency can result from pernicious anaemia?

  Vitamin B12 deficiency
• What is the function of Vitamin C?

  Anti-oxidant and co-enzyme for hydroxylation
• What deficiency leads to scurvy?

  Vitamin C deficiency
• What are the symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency?

  Sore gums and poor wound healing
• What is the toxicity risk associated with Vitamin C?

  At risk for calcium oxalate stones
• What are the dietary sources of water-soluble vitamins?

  • Vitamin B1: Whole grains, meat
  • Vitamin B2: Dairy, eggs
  • Vitamin B3: Meat, fish, whole grains
  • Vitamin B5: Meat, avocados
  • Vitamin B6: Fish, potatoes
  • Vitamin B7: Eggs, nuts
  • Vitamin B9: Leafy greens, legumes
  • Vitamin B12: Meat, dairy
  • Vitamin C: Fruits, vegetables
• What are the symptoms of Vitamin deficiencies?

  • Vitamin A: Night blindness, skin problems
  • Vitamin D: Rickets, osteomalacia
  • Vitamin E: Red blood cell fragility
  • Vitamin K: Bleeding
  • Vitamin B1: Beriberi symptoms
  • Vitamin B2: Cracked skin, inflammation
  • Vitamin B3: Pellagra symptoms
  • Vitamin B5: Numbness, fatigue
  • Vitamin B6: Glossitis, neuropathy
  • Vitamin B7: Scaly rash
  • Vitamin B9: Megaloblastic anaemia
  • Vitamin B12: Dementia, spinal degeneration
  • Vitamin C: Scurvy symptoms
• What are the toxicity effects of fat-soluble vitamins?

  • Vitamin A: Hypervitaminosis, fractures
  • Vitamin D: Hypercalcaemia, muscle weakness
  • Vitamin E: Fatigue, impaired blood coagulation
  • Vitamin K: Rare toxicity