Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins

Diapalo

Current Knowledge of Common Lettered

Value Vitamins

Anthony L. Dipaolo
01 March 2017
Health Class
 Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins
Diapalo

Abstract
This research investigated the current knowledge of common lettered value vitamins with respect to
respective cellular level interactions, dietary sources and toxicity effects. Additionally an examination
of the FDA’s policy on RDI.

Introduction
Nutrition education in the United States
operates within a complex system that is regulated by
multiple government organizations, including but not
limited to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Standards
and policies created at the government level trickle
throughout the complex regulation system (6)
While there is a general consensus among
experts that nutrition is an essential part of every day
life and a required component of life. There has yet to
be an agreement struck among experts as to exactly
how much of which kinds of each supplement is
required.
Given there is no factual evidence related to
the required amount of each nutrient, the FDA has
conceded with the notion of offering a recommended
daily intake (RDI). You can find this information on
most retail food packaging. See Figure 1.
Working on the assumption that no
government organization can say for certain how
much of which variations of nutrients are required to
sustain daily life, a market has emerged for
nutraceuticals, a marketed supplement with health-
giving additives. (7) You may be familiar with some
of the most marketed item; daily multivitamins.
Despite all the research, the only consensus
among these products is that there is no known risks
and potential benefits to mild intake. Given the low risk and potential benefits, there exists a
responsibility for the end user to educate themselves on the nutrients for which these products advertise
to subsidize.
This paper has chosen to focus on a subset of the included nutrients so that a greater evaluation
and explanation can occur. The vitamins listed below consist of a subset of A to K, which are referred
to as the lettered value vitamins due to the nomenclature chosen by the governmental organizations.
 Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins
Diapalo

Vitamin A
Vitamin A itself is a common misnomer, and refers to individual compounds, all of which are
fat-soluble, and is active in three separate forms within the body, retinol, retinal & retinoic acid.
vitamin A helps to regulate the growth and premeditated functions of most cells within the body.
Playing an important role in both prenatal and postnatal development, an excess or deficiency during
this time period can result in birth defects. (1)
Common food sources for which precursors of vitamin A consist mainly of fruits and
vegetables. Yellow and orange vegetables contain carotenoids, as well as certain green vegetables.
Common sources found in supplements are retinol and beta-carotene.
Toxicity potential for vitamin A exists, and the condition which is the result of such condition is
referred to as hypervitaminosis A. While relatively rare among general populations, subsections of the
population are considered more susceptible. Those such as the elderly, alcoholics and individuals with a
genetic predisposition for high cholesterol. (1)
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is composed of 8 individual B components; thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin
(B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate [folic] (B9) and cyanocobalamin
(B12). While the vitamin B spectrum is the most diverse among the lettered vitamins, each component
serves a unique and important function as a water-soluble substance.
All B vitamins assist in the body’s conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, which is the
cellular equivalent of fuel. Cases of vitamin B toxicity are often not serious, and in some cases, such as
B6 and B12, no toxic effects have been observed through mega doses. Vitamin B components are
regularly found in foods as a group, rather than individually. As such, vitamin B is commonly referred
to as B complex, meaning multiple inclusions.
B1 (thiamin) converts ingested food into sugars and amino acids, which are the underlying
forms of energy cells use to perform basic functions. Found in red meats, nuts, grains, peas, milk and
many more common household foods. (5)
B2 (riboflavin) is a coenzyme for the flavin mono nucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine
dinucleotide (FAD) process cycles that are used in energy metabolism. Found in milk based products,
enriched and whole grains. Excess amounts can be indicated by a bright yellow color of urine
excretion. (5)
B3 (niacin) is a coenzyme for the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) process cycles that are used in energy metabolism. Common
dietary sources are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, daily and whole grains. Excess amounts can cause toxicity,
but only observed by those who intake via supplements. Common noticeable signs are reddening of the
skin as well as the development of an itch. Known respectively as a niacin flush and urticaria. (5)
B5 (pantothenic acid) assists in the production of red blood cells and in the synthesizing of
cholesterol. (5)
B6 (pyridoxine) assists in the production of neurotransmitters, which assist in the signals
communication between nerve cells. (5)
B7 (biotin) assists in the metabolization of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. (5)
B9 (folate), may also be referred to as folic as in supplement form and folate as a naturally
occurring derivative. (5)
B12 (cyanocobalamin) is the numerical last of the B vitamins. B12 assists the body with the
maintenance of nerve cells and the replication of existing cells through the use of RNA and DNA
production. (5)
 Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins
Diapalo

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or rather ascorbic acid, is in a class known as water-soluble substance, meaning the
body excretes what cannot be used immediately and is not stored. This characteristic marks vitamin C
as a top priority for daily intake. Vitamin C aides in an important process for cell growth and repair
throughout the body. Among the cell growth aspects, ascorbic acid particularly aids with the production
of collagen, a skin protein, which aids in healing wounds and maintaining calcium based body parts
(bones, teeth) (2)
Common food sources for vitamin C include many fruits (oranges, strawberries, grapefruit and
more), leafy green vegetables (both raw and cooked form) to name a few. Ascorbic acid is relatively
sensitive to light, air and heat. Due to this, you can maximize the vitamin c availability by keeping this
sensitivity in mind when preparing food.
Vitamin C has low toxicity, as such is not considered to cause problematic effects at high doses.
While the opposite can be considered for acute deficiency in vitamin C. The condition that results is
scurvy. (3) Symptoms set in within as little as 30 days for intake levels near 10 milligrams per day.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, cholecalciferol, while commonly referred to as a vitamin, is in actuality a hormone
and is produced naturally by the skin organ when exposed to sunlight, among other miscellaneous
internal intracellular receptors. Normal individuals do not require additional ingestion of vitamin D if
they are exposed to a regular amount of sunlight. For those who are not, such as night shift workers,
individuals who live in certain regions of the planet where exposure to prolonged periods of a lack of
sunlight is common, supplements should be considered.
Common sources of vitamin D include, but are not limited to; sunlight, oils derived from fish,
certain strains of mushrooms, dairy products, wheat based cereal and so on. It should be noted that
regarding the conversion of sunlight into vitamin D through skin can be inhibited by the effects of
sunscreen. This is due to the equal wavelengths for the radiation that is emitted from our sun that
allows for the absorption of D and causes sunburn. (4)
Hypervitaminosis D, or rather vitamin D toxicity, is a common effect of mega doses of vitamin
D, but it rarely seen. Mega doses are not the result of sunlight or diet exposure, as the body regulates
the levels. But rather a prolonged exposure to massive amounts of supplemental intake. Though
naturally occurring instances have been seen in those who have less than optimal liver and kidney
functions. (4)
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, tocopherol, is an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage from by-products of
normal cells which emit a waste due to chemical reactions.
Common sources of vitamin E include oils derived from vegetables, leafy vegetables which are
green in color as well as nuts and seeds.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K and its structurally similar subsets, are a group of fat-soluble that plays an important
function in the body’s ability to regulate blood coagulation. The k nomenclature is derived from the
German word for coagulation, koagulation.
Common sources of vitamin K include green vegetables which are leafy in physical manner, as
well as soy derivatives and canola based products.
Vitamin K toxicity can occur and is known to block the effects of anticoagulants. Though not
often observed in adults; infants who are fed formula do pose certain risks and are often the recipients
of said toxicity.
 Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins
Diapalo

Conclusion
Vitamins are an essential part of a healthy diet. There is no argument among the scientific
community on that part. Through agreements and concessions, the recommended dietary allowance has
been established. Or rather the amount a healthy individual need each day to remain healthy.
Consuming too much (mega doses) of any particular vitamin can have disastrous effects, just the same
as consuming not enough (deficiency). This manner of life and death has lead many individuals to use
products such as multivitamins, while there is very little scientific evidence to prove these are
necessary to promote a healthy life. All too often, it seems individuals error on the side of caution.

References

(1) National Research Council. Investigating the Influence of Standards: A Framework for
Research in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education. N.p.: n.p., 2002. Nap.edu. NAP.
Web. Web. 01 May 2017

(2) Publications, Harvard Health. "Do multivitamins make you healthier?" Harvard Health.
N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

(3) "Vitamin A." Linus Pauling Institute. N.p., 03 Jan. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

(4) "Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)." University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 01
May 2017.

(5) "Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin C." National Institutes of Health. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

(6) Washington, University Of. "UW." Vitamin D. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

(7) Water Soluble Vitamins. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

 Current Knowledge of Common Lettered Value Vitamins
Diapalo

Appendix