VITAMINS- THE

NUTRITIONAL
WEAPONS
 DEFINITION

They are low molecular weight organic substances required in

small proportion in the diet for maintaining normal growth,
maintenance of health and reproduction.
 CLASSIFICATIONS

VITAMINS

FAT WATER
SOLUBLE SOLUBLE

VITAMIN B
VITAMIN A VITAMIN D VITAMIN E VITAMIN K VITAMIN C
COMPLEX
 FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Associated with fatty food.

They do not contain nitrogen in their structure.
Heat stable.
Absorbed from the intestines along with fats and lipids in food.
Not excreted in the urine getting stored to a considerable extent
in the body.
May result in toxicity.
 VITAMIN A
Plants contain pro Vitamin A, the carotenoids.
These are converted to Vitamin A after
absorption by the ingesting animals.
 FUNCTIONS

Promotes Vision.
Growth regulation.
Immunity.
Reproduction.
Carotene is an important nutritional weapon to fight
Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer, Cataract and Gastric
inflammation.
 DISORDERS
Deficiency:
Night Blindness.
Conjunctival xerosis.
Bitots Spot.
Corneal xerosis.
Keratomalacia.
Susceptibility to infection.
Toxicity:
In adults- Drowsiness, nausea,
hair loss, dry skin, diarrhoea,
rapid bone resorptions and
menstrual problems.
In children- dermatitis, weight
loss, skeletal pain, hyper
irritability, hydrocephalus and
hyper irritability.
 VITAMIN D

2 major sterols that gets converted to Vitamin D are: Ergosterol

and 7dehydrocholesterol.
Ergosterol gives ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2)
7dehydrocholesterol gives Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3).
 FUNCTIONS

Calcium homeostatis and bone formation and maintenance.

Helps in secretion of insulin and parathyroid hormone
secretion.
Immunity booster.
Development of skin and female reproductive system.
 DISORDERS

DEFICIENCY TOXICITY
Osteomalacia. Calcification of various soft tissues of
Osteoporosis. the body including heart, lungs and
Rickets. kidney.
Risk of Diabetes.
Improper muscle contraction, brain and
neuron functioning.
 VITAMIN E

Its activity in food is derived from 4 groups each of Tocopherols

and Tocotrienols.
tocopherol is the most active form.
 FUNCTIONS

Antioxidant and anti-ageing properties.

Prevents onset of several form of cancers, tumors, cataract,
arthritis and atherosclerosis.
Immunity booster.
Anti aggregation of blood platelets during blood clot formation.
 DISORDERS

DEFICIENCY TOXICITY
Neurological disorders. Kidney failure.
Hemolytic Anaemia. Ascitis.
Retinopathy. Decreased platelets count.
Platelet and Lymphocyte Malfunction. Fatal.
Liver malfunctioning.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Infertility.
 VITAMIN K

Menadione is the synthetic and most potential form.

 FUNCTIONS DEFICIENCY
Synthesis of various substances Neonatal Haemmorhage.
required for blood clotting. Hemophilia
Von Willebrand factor deficiency
 WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Components of essential enzymes.

Easily synthesised and used as food additives.
Excess of these vitamins are excreted through the kidney.
Susceptible to loss by leaching during the cooking operations or
heating.
 THIAMINE (VITAMIN B1)

It is widely distributed throughout the plant and animal kingdom.

Dry form is fairly stable.
 FUNCTIONS

It plays an important role as coenzymes.

TPP is the coenzyme of carboxylase which is required in
biological oxidation of glucose and amino acids.
It is necessary throughout life for release of energy from fuel
molecules.
 DEFICIENCY

Mild deficiency leads to fatigue, emotional instability,

depression, retarded normal growth and lethargy.
Also occurs in alcoholics.
Severe cases leads to Beriberi: Infantile Beriberi, Wet Beriberi,
Dry Beriberi and Wernickes Encephalopathy.
 RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2)

It is orange yellow in color.

It belongs to a group of yellow fluorescent pigment called flavin.
It is lost or destroyed in the presence of light and baking soda.
 FUNCTIONS

It is converted to FMN and FAD to carry out various cellular

activities like:
Energy release from glucose, fatty acids and amino acids.
Conversion of amino acid tryptophan into active form of
vitamin B3.
Converting Vitamin B6 and B9 to active form thus helps in
DNA synthesis, cell division and growth.
 DEFICIENCY

It is associated with TB, prolonged fever, anemia,

malabsorption , hyperthyroidism and malignancy.
Dermal lesions.
Neurological manifestations.
Haematological manifestation.
Adversing Respiratory Infections.
 NIACIN (VITAMIN B3)

It includes both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.

It is one of the stablest vitamins.
Loss in food occurs during trimming and leaching.
 FUNCTIONS

To form NAD and NADP which aids in release of energy from macronutrients, fat
synthesis, electron transport reactions.

DEFICIENCY
Weakness and indigestion.
Ulcerated mouth and tongue.
Prolonged deficiency leads to
Pellagra: dermatitis, diarrhoea,
depression and dementia,
neurological and mental
changes.
 PANTOTHENIC ACID (VITAMIN B5)

It can be synthesized from intestinal microflora.

 FUNCTIONS

Multiple roles in cellular metabolism and regulation.

Being a part of Coenzyme A is essential for synthesis of some
fat soluble vitamins, steroid hormones, cholesterol, amino
acids, B12, Hemoglobin and cytochrome.
 DEFICIENCY

Affects the adrenal cortex.

Hampers nervous system functioning.
Hair loss.
Skin Impairement.
 PYRIDOXINE (VITAMIN B6)

Pyridoxine is used for food fortification.

 FUNCTIONS

It is found in cell in its active form Pyridoxal Phosphate..

Its coenzymes are required in transamination, deamination,
desulphuration and decarboxylation reactions.
It helps in Haemoglobin formation.
 DEFICIENCY

Common in pregnant woman, alcoholics and in people with

steroid drugs.
The deficiency leads to:
Anaemia.
Oral and Dermal Lesions.
Hematological Manifestations.
 BIOTIN

It is a water soluble sulphur containing vitamin thus susceptible to

oxidation.
Also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H.
 FUNCTIONS DEFICIENCY
Required for several carboxylating Certain Drugs.
enzymes which has the capacity to add GI Disorders.
or remove carbohydrates and fat. Depressions.
Metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Hallucination.
Muscle Pin.
Localised Paresthesia.
Anorexia.
Nausea.
Alopecia and Scaly Dermatitis.
 FOLIC ACID (VITAMIN B9)

It was first isolated from spinach leaves.

Loss occurs when food are stored or processed due to oxidation..
 FUNCTIONS

Normal growth and cell divisions.

Formation of Haeme group of haemoglobin.
Synthesis of purine and pyrimidine bases for DNA and RNA
synthesis.
 DEFICIENCY

Megaloblastic Anaemia:
It is a type of anemia, a blood disorder in which the number of
red blood cells is lower than normal.
It is common in pregnant ladies, alcoholics, malaria.
It leads to weakness, dysponea, tiredness, forgetfulness,
palpitation, headache, diarrhoea, irritability and anorexia.
CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
 FUNCTIONS

It is essential for DNA synthesis.

Growth and cell division.
Conversion of homocystein to methionine.
In bone marrow for the formation of erythroblast precursors of
RBCs.
 DEFICIENCY

Pernicious Anaemia:
It is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to serious
complications including brain and nerve damage, heart
problems, chronic anemia, and stomach cancer.
 VITAMIN C

Also known as Ascorbic acid

Most unstable of known vitamins and highly soluble.
 FUNCTIONS

Collagen Formation.
Carnitine Synthesis.
Neurotransmitter synthesis.
Activation of hormones.
Drug Detoxification.
General antioxidants.
Iron Metabolism.
 DISORDERS

DEFICIENCY TOXICITY
Scurvy/ Gingivitis. Diarrhea.
Tender bones. Nausea.
Petichial haemorrhage. Vomiting.
Delayed wound healing. Heartburn.
Cessation of bone growth. Abdominal bloating and cramps.
Headache.
Insomnia.
Kidney stones.