Vitamins:
Vitamins are the organic catalysts found in food in minute traces and have no calorific value but they are vital to physiological processes of the human body
- Vitamins do not produce calories and have no calorific food value.
- Vitamins are accessible food factors, needed in very small quantities continuously by the body.
- The
absence of vitamins in the Diet for a prolonged period, produce deficiency diseases, which are curable by supplying these in time.
- Synthesized in plants
- Animals also Synthesise a few of them and store many of them.
- Vitamin producing microbes present in the human intestine also Synthesise some Vitamins,
Example: Vitamin B-12 is Synthesised by microbes present in the large intestine of the human body.
Intestine microbes also bio-synthesize Vit. B1, Nicotinic acid, Vit. B12, Folic Acid, Vit. K etc. - Vitamin D is synthesized by human skin through ultraviolet rays from the Sun.
- All food contains one or more vitamins in trace
- Vitamins are also synthetically prepared in laboratories for large scale manufacturing for pharmaceutical concerns
Sources of Vitamins:
Classification of Vitamins:
Fat-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamins A, D, E and K fat-soluble vitamins and are thermostable.
Vitamine | Chemical Constituent |
---|---|
Vit. A | Retinol |
Vit. D | Calciferol |
Vit. E | Alpha-tocopherol |
Vit K | Methyl phytyl naphthoquinone |
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Vit. B-complex and Vit. C is water-soluble, partially thermostable and are insoluble in Fats.
Vitamine | Chemical Constituent |
---|---|
Vit. B1 | Thiamine |
Vit. B2 | Riboflavin |
Niacin | Nicotinic acid |
Vit. B3 | Pantothenic Acid |
Vit. B6 | Pyridoxine |
Folic Acid | Pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) |
Vit. H | Biotin |
Vit. B12 | Cyanocobalamine |
Vit. Inositol | |
Vit. Choline and Methyl donor | |
Vit. C | Ascorbic Acid: water-soluble, thermolabile, highly oxidizable |
Notes
1. Fat Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E, And K
Prakash Joshi 01 Jan 1970Fat-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A, D, E, And K are fat-soluble vitamins.
Vitamin A
Chemistry: 1. Vitamin A is unsaturated primary alcohol (Retinol). Structurally it is related to the plant pigment carotene. 2. Vit. A is derived from β-carotene. Hence, β-carotene is a pro-vitamin A. it requires bile salt and fat for absorption. Sources: 1. Chief sources are Fish liver oil (i.e. cod liver oil, shark liver oil), milk, cheese, and egg.
2. Animal oil like Ghee and Butter are good sources but vegetable oil does not contain Vit A.
3. Vegetables and fruits like carrot, tomato, spinach, mangoes, etc. are rich sources of Vit. A. Storage: vitamin A is stored mainly in the liver, little lungs and skin. Excretion: vitamin A is excreted through stools.
Functions of Vit. A
- Vitamin A is essential for body growth and weight.
- Vitamin A is very useful for the health of eyes, skin epithelia, and nervous system.
- Vitamin A aids in bone-cell formation along with vitamin D, Fertility and resistance against cold along with Vitamin C.
- Vitamin A is also responsible for the formation of rhodopsin (the light-sensitive chemical substance in rods odd retina).
Deficiency of Vitamin A results in:
- 1. Eyes: (i) prolonged deficiency of Vit. 'A' results in night blindness. this is due to the absence of re-synthesis of rhodopsin when exposed to light.
(ii) Deficiency of Vit. A leads to degeneration of the lachrymal gland of the eye causing Xerophthalmia. Its deficiency gives rise to red eyes and corneal ulcers. - 2. Alimentary system: Epithelial degenerate and give digestive disturbances in Vit. A deficiency.
- 3. Respiratory system: Deficiency of Vit. A leads to increased susceptibility or respiratory diseases like cold, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Therefore Vit. A is called an anti-infective Vitamine.
- 4. Skeletal System: Vit. A deficiency leads to slow and irregular growth of bones and teeth.
- 5. Nervous System: Vit. A deficiency also adversely affects medullary sheaths of nerves.
- 6. Fertility: Vit, A deficiency adversely affects the normal ovulation in rats, this is not proved in humans. Still, it is used empirically to aid spermatogenesis in men and ovulation in women.
Vitamin D
Chemistry: 1. Vitamin D is a sterol. it has more than 6 components, of them vit. D2 and D3 are the most potent.2. vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol or 7-dehydrocholesterol which is an isomer of ergosterol. Ergosterol on irradiation by ultraviolet rays yields Calciferol.
3. Vit. D3 is cholecalciferol which is activated 7-dehydrocholesterol formed in human skin on exposure to sunlight.
4. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and thermostable. Sources: 1. The best yield of vitamin D3 is from ergosterol which is found under the skin, in the milk, butter and egg yolk in moderate quantities.
2. Liver and cod liver oil are also the moderate sources of Vitamin D.
Functions of Vitamin D
- Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption, retention, and utilization of calcium and phosphorous in the body.
- Vitamin D aids proper teeth and bone formation.
- Vitamin D is an important hormone for the mineralization and formation of bones.
Deficiency of Vitamin D
vitamin D Deficiency gives rise to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These diseases arise as a result of excessive excretion of calcium and phosphorous in feces. - Rickets:
- Develop between 6-18 month of infancy
- The bones soften and blend under pressure and there is mal deposition of (calcium phosphate) Ca3(PO4)2.
- The skull bones show bossing and a Gap in the skull which does not calcify till the age of one and a half year.
- The delayed and irregular eruption of teeth occurs.
- the chest is flat, pointed or depressed.
- The pelvis is deformed.
- Legs may bend under pressure, giving deformed locomotion.
- Osteomalacia: Generally found in pregnant, lactating or multipara mothers with rapidly recurring deliveries. This occurs because of an excessive drain of calcium from the mother's body.
- Adolescent rickets occurs at pre-puberty times when bones are growing fast.
Vitamin E
Vit. E is Alpha-tochopherol. it is fat soluble and thermostable.Sources of vitamin E are Soyabean, wheat sprouts, cornseed oil, Butter, milk and leafy vegetables.
Vit. E is fat soluble and thermostable. It is also called anti-sterility vitamin and 'anti-oxidative vitamin'. It is used to prevent arteriosclerosis in old peoples, Promotes wound healing, and involves in the formation of RNA, DNA and RBC.
Function of vitamin E
- vitamin E prevents excessive oxidation of fatty acids that help to form cell structure. hence Vit. E is called 'anti-oxidative vitamin'.
- vitamin E Helps in normal functioning of the vascular and nervous system. therefore it is used to prevent arteriosclerosis, i.e. thickening of the blood vessels in old peoples.
- vitamin E is necessary for the normality of reproductive system in rats. it prevents abortion in rats. Vit. E is also called anti-sterility vitamin
- Vitamin E is also involved in the formation of RNA, DNA and RBC.
- Vitamin E also promotes wound healing.
Deficiency of Vit. E
- Due to vitamin E deficiency in Rats, female rats abort and male rats do not show normal spermatogenesis. vitamin E might help to overcome abortion or miscarriage problems.
- In a bsence of vitamin'E' muscular dystrophy occurs in rats.
Vitamin K
Chemically vitamin K belongs to the naphthaquinone family. Vitamin K1 and K2 are natural products.Vitamin K is fat soluble and thermostable. Aids in coagulation of blood. given to mother before delivery to prevent haemorrhages in newborns. Synthesised by intestinal bacteria and store in liver. Bile salts required for its absorption.Sources of 'Vitamin K' are vegetables like cabbage, tomato, Soyabean, alfa-alfa, spinach etc. Synthesised in considerable amounts by intestinal bacteria and stored in liver. Bile salts are a must for its absorption.
Function of Vitamin K
1. Vitamin K aids in coagulation of blood by keeping up prothrombin level in the blood. It also aids factor VII in cloting of the blood.2. haemorrhages in newborns can be prevented by giving Vitamin K to the mother, before delivery.
Deficiency of Vitamin K
1. Vit. K deficiency produces hypoprothrombinaemia and haemorrhage in newborn babies and petechinal haemorrhage in man.2. factor VII insufficiency due to Vit. K deficiency also produces bleeding.
Vitamine A, D, E and K are soluble in fat and are thermostable (Not decompose by excess heat).
2. Essentials Of Essential Vitamins
Prakash Joshi 01 Jan 1970Essentials of Essential Vitamins | |||
---|---|---|---|
A. Fat-Soluble Vitamins | |||
Vitamin | Source | Function | Deficiency symptoms |
Vitamin A (carotene) | All vegetables, especially carrots, citrate fruits, milk, butter, fish, liver oil, eggs, cheese. | Body growth and weight, health of skin, eyes and membranes, Glycoprotein synthesis. | Retardation of growth, Night blindness, susceptibility to infections, skin rough and dry, Xerophthelmia, hyperkeratosis. |
Vitamin D (Calciferol) | Cod, shark and halibut liver oil, eggs, milk, butter and ghee. | Metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, Growth, health of teeth and bones. | Rickets, osteomalacia and decay of teeth. |
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | leafy vegetables, germ oil, wheat, milk. | Aids reproduction in animals and maintain pregnancy strengthens the vascular and nervous system. | Possibly cause degeneration of heart, muscles and nervous etc. |
Vitamin K | Autosynthesis in Intestine, vegetables, tomato, Soyabean, alpha-alpha liver etc. | Normal coagulation of blood | tendency to bleed. Erythroblastosis-foetalis in newborns. Thrombocytopenia. |
B. Water-Soluble Vitamins | |||
Vitamin | Source | Function | Deficiency symptoms |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | The pericarp of the grains like rice and wheat, yeast, til, 'neero', hand powdered pulses, groundnuts, garminated cereals. | Growth, efficient working of the heart, nerves and muscles, metabolism of carbohydrates | (Beri-beri and polyneuritis) Retardation if growth, Decrease in appetite and Weight, neuritis, easy fatigue and disturbed digestion. |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Milk and Milk preparations, yeast, eggs, meat, liver and green vegetables | Growth, metabolism of carbohydrates, health of eyes and skin | Retardation of growth, cheilitis, sensitivity to light, Red tongue. |
Nicotinic acid (Niacin) | Pericarp of grains, nuts and pulses, leafy vegetables, wheat, germ oil. | Metabolism of carbohydrates, efficient working of nervous system and G.I. tract. | Mental and digesive disturbances, skin scaly and pigmented (pellagra). |
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamine) | Liver, milk, meat | formation of RBCs, DNA etc. haemopoesis, neuropoesis. | Pernicious anaemia, Neuropathies. |
Folic Acid (Pteroyl glutamic acid) | Liver, green vegetables, curd, and pulses. | formation of RBCs. | Macrocytic Anaemia. |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | liver, meat, green vegetables. | Growth, efficient working of nerves and muscles. | Fits and convulsions in children, vomiting during pregnancy, Neuropathies. |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | Citrus fruits, 'amla', lemon and other green vegetables, tomato and potato. | Growth and repair, health of gums and blood vessels. | Bleeding from gums, haemorrhage, retarded healing, (scurvy) |
3. Water Soluble Vitamins: Source, Function And Deficiency Diseases
Prakash Joshi 01 Jan 1970Water soluble vitamins include vitamin B-complex (vit. B1,B2 or Riboflavin, Nicotinic acid, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine or B6, Folic Acid, Vit. B12, Biotin(Vitamin H),Inositol, Choline and Vitamin C).
Vitamin B-complex
from among more than ten members in the B complex group of vitamins Vit. B1, B6, B12, Nicotinic acid, and Folic acid are most widely used.
Vitamin B1
Chemically, Vitamin B1 is Thiamine or Aneurine. it is water soluble and partially thermostable. It is found in Yeast, beets, beans, crrots, and cauliflowers to a good extent. it is helpfull for the synthesise of acetylcholine. Beri-beri is a vitamin B1 deficiency disease.Chemistry:
- Chemically Thiamine or Aneurine, water-soluble and partially thermostable.
- Can withstand cooking at 100°C for a short time.
- Cooking in alkaline medium decreases its potency.
- stable in acid medium.
- Found in the husk of cereals.
- Vitamin B1 is also found in Yeast, beets, beans, carrots, and cauliflowers to a good extent.
- Found in unpolished rice and destroyed in machine-polished rice.
- Egg Yolk is also a good source of Vitamin B1
- In the oxidation of pyruvic and lactic acid, it acts as a coenzyme,(i.e Flevine adenine dinucleotide, FAD). Oxidation of sugar in the brain and other tissues such as muscles is aided by Vitamin B1.
- Fats are synthesised from carbohydrates and proteins with the help of Vitamin B1.
- Vitamin B1 is helpful for the synthesis of acetylcholine.
- Vit. B1 Aids in growth and carbohydrate absorption.
- Helps in the efficient working of nerves, heart and muscles.
- Beri-beri
- it is a vitamin deficiency disease. it may develop in two forms: Dry Beri-beri and Wet Beri-beri.
- Dry Beri-beri affects peripheral sensory and motor nerves and gives rise to polyneuritis. Muscular weakness is also a symptom.
-
Wet Beri-beri has following symptoms
- Oedematous swelling of legs.
- Loss of appetite and distension of the abdomen.
- The progressive state of Irritation in Brain and nerves resulting in paresis and paralysis
- Muscle cramps due to accumulation of pyruvic acid and lactic acid
- Weakened heart and breathlessness.
- Growth retardation
- Palpitation
- Easy fatigue
- Vitamin B1 is called 'Anti neurotic Vitamin' which cures all the above deficiency signs.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Chemically Vitamin B2 is a flavone. Milk, yeast, egg, muscles, kidney, liver, peas, beets and green vegetables are some good sources of it. It is essential fo body growth, take part in cellular respiration and helps in health of eyes and skin. It's Deficiency targets skin and eyes.
Chemically it is flavone and a highly yellow-coloured substance. Deficiency of it is termed as Ariboflavinosis
Vitamin B2 Sources:- Some good sources of vitamin B2 are milk, yeast, egg, muscles, kidney and liver.
- Plant sources like whole-grain products, peas, beets and green vegetables.
- A small amount of vitamin B2 is also supplied by the gastrointestinal tract.
- Essential for body growth.
- By acting as a hydrogen acceptor for the oxidation-reduction system, it plays a vital role in intracellular respiration
- Vitamin B2 regulates the hormone concerned with carbohydrate Metabolism.
- It helps the retina to transfer light stimuli into nerve stimuli.
- It also plays a role in protein Metabolism.
- Helps in the maintenance of the health of mouth, skin, eyes and mucosa of the intestine.
- Vitamin B2 Deficiency targets skin and eyes.
- Cheilitis or Cheilosis i.e. swelling and fissure on the lips, the cornea and glossitis, i.e. swelling of the tongue are the common deficiency signs.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia), opacities (cataracts) and redness of capillaries around the cornea (corneal ulcer), may develop in eyes.
- Growth retarded, Skin becomes dry and hair fall off.
the condition due to these symptoms of Vitamin B2 is called Ariboflavinosis.
Nicotinic acid
Chemistry:
Chemically it is the amide of nicotinic acid. it is called niacin and its amides as Nicotinamide. Nicotinamide is the active form of nicotinic acid which acts in the body. it is water-soluble and partially thermostable.
Nicotinic acid Sources:
Plant sources: Husk (pericarp) of cereals, pulses, peas, beans, tomatoes etc. and the whole wheat
Animal sources: Milk, liver, meat, fish etc.
Nicotinic acid Functions:
Niacin is an essential component of coenzyme (NAD) concerned with energy-releasing reactions. It inhibits the production of cholesterol in lipid metabolism and assists in fat break down.
- Pellagra is a nicotinic acid deficiency disease, characterised by dermatitis, diarrhoea, and psychological disturbances.
- Skin becomes reddish-brown, dry and scaly.
- gastrointestinal system disturbances, indigestion and diarrhoea.
-
Dementia, a mental disorder and other nervous disorders may follow due to pellagra.
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B3)
Chemistry:- it is a dipeptide of alanine and butyric acid derivative.
- It is water-soluble, hygroscopic and partially thermostable.
- Animal sources: Liver, milk, egg
- Plant and other sources: Peas, sweet potatoes, molasses and yeast.
- Stored in liver and kidney
- Coenzyme-A of Pantothenic acid takes part in carbohydrate metabolism ( transfer of pyruvic acid into Kreb's cycle) and in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids.
- Coenzyme-A also aids in the conversion of lipids and amino acids into glucose.
- Not known in man, but degeneration of adrenal cortex follows in rats
-
Its deficiency produces involution of the thymus and degeneration of the spinal cord and liver.
Pyridoxine
Chemistry: Pyridoxine is a pyridine derivative, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine all the three together form Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 water-soluble and heat stable.
Pyridoxine Sources:- Animal sources: Liver, meat, kidney and egg are good sources of vitamin B6
- Plant sources: Grains and seeds, green vegetables
- found in Yeast and also produced by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Useful for good health.
- Role in tryptophan metabolism
- Help in fat synthesis from carbohydrates and proteins.
- Aids in polyunsaturated fatty-acid formation.
- Acts as a co-carboxylase in the decarboxylation of some essential amino acids.
- It serves as a prosthetic group to transaminases.
- Acrodynia (dermatitis), degeneration of nerves, retardation of growth, failure to reproduce, and anaemia observed in rats and dogs.
- It's deficiency impacts the health of the nervous system.
Folic acid
Chemically it is Pteroylglutamic acid (PGA), yellow in colour, slightly water-soluble, partially thermostable and sensitive to light.
Folic acid Sources:- Meat, milk, and leafy vegetables are rich sources of folic acid
- Soybean and yeast have high folic acid content.
- Green vegetables, bean etc. are moderate sources of folic acid.
- also synthesised by bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Along with Vitamin B12, Folic acid synthesises nucleic acid
- Folic acid is essential for RBC - formation and maturation.
- It cures megaloblastic anaemia, especially during pregnancy. Pernicious anaemia is cured only in its early stages and that too along with vitamin B12.
- Tetrahydrofolic acid formed from folic acid acts as a co-enzyme in the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines that synthesise RNA and DNA.
Folic acid Deficiency: In humans, its deficiency gives rise to megaloblastic anaemia.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is manufactured on pharmaceutical scale as a by-product of streptomycin, synthesised by Streptomyces griseus. It has red colour, due to its cobalt content and named as rubramine.It is absent in plant life.Chemistry:
- Vitamin B12 has a very complex formula: C63H88O14N14 PCo
- It is red in colour, due to its cobalt content.
- Chemically it is Cyanocobalamine.
- Vitamin B12 is named as rubramine due to its red colour.
- It is water-soluble and partially thermostable
- Cyanocobalamine-H, a synthetic preparation, gives a higher and sustained level in the blood giving prolonged effect.
- it is richly found in animal tissues like liver, kidney, beef, egg, etc.
- It is absent in plant life. so Milk is important to source for vegetarians and egg is for ovo-vegetarians.
- Streptomyces griseus is a fungus which synthesises Vitamin B12
- It is manufactured on a pharmaceutical scale as a by-product of streptomycin, synthesised by Streptomyces griseus. it is synthesised by microfloral fermentation in ruminants.
- It can also be extracted from the liver directly
- It unites with the intrinsic factor of Castle present in the gastric juice to be absorbed by the ilium and finally stored in the liver.
- from the liver, it is sent to bone marrow to stimulate hematopoiesis.
- Vitamin B12 is called the Extrinsic factor of Castle's Hematinic principle.
- It is stored in the liver and excreted through the stool and urine.
- It is the extrinsic food factor of Castle which stimulates haemopoiesis of RBC.
- It cures Pernicious anaemia in the blood and the subacute combined degeneration of nucleic acid of nerve cells.
- Important in DNA metabolism.
- It increases WBC and TC along with RBC.
- It is essential for the maintenance of the health of the nervous system.
- Helps in the process of transmethylation.
- Stimulates Lipid formation from carbohydrates
- Cures Hypoglycaemia of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Helps in the process of isomerisation.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: produces Pernicious, Macrocytic or megaloblastic anaemia, Hypoglycaemia, anorexia and nervous weakness.
Biotin (Vitamin H)
Egg-white is antibiotin in nature so it neutrilises the biotin. taking raw eggs and sulpha drugs give rise to biotin defficiency.
Chemistry: It is a valeric acid derivative with imidazole and thiophene joined to it and also contains sugar. it is water-soluble and thermostable.
Biotin Sources: It present in yeast, peas, cauliflowers, liver and kidney. Egg-white is anti-biotin in nature so it neutralises the biotin.
Biotin function: It has similar functions like B-complex. it is a coenzyme essential for carboxylation and decarboxylation.
Biotin deficiency:- its deficiency results in hypercholesterolaemia, dermatitis, and neuritis.
- Longtime use of raw eggs and sulpha drugs give rise to biotin deficiency.
- Mental depression, muscular pain, dermatitis, nausea and fatigue may also be due to Biotin deficiency.
Inositol
Inositol Sources:
In cereals it is found along with phytic acid, it is also found in brain, kidney, liver and muscles.
Inositol functions:
in animals, it is lipotropic.
Inositol deficiency:
Alopecia i.e loss of hairs is seen in mice and eye trouble is noticed in rats.
Choline
Source: Egg, butter and nervous tissues of animals.
function: It is lipotropic, it aids in the synthesis of acetylcholine, lecithin and sphingomyelin,
it helps in the process of methylation.
Deficiency:
Choline deficiency gives rise to fatty liver in Rats. In the human it is used to strengthen the liver.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is chemically ascorbic acid and is active in the levoform. it is not stored in body. Citrus fruits are its rich sources. it aids insulin production.
Chemistry: it is chemically ascorbic acid and is active in the Levo form. It is water-soluble, thermolabile and is easily oxidisable.
Vitamin C Sources:- Acids fruits like lemon, amala, papaya and pineapple are is rich sources.
- Vegetables like spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflowers, and germinated pulses contain vitamin C.
- The animal source is poor in ascorbic acid, but adrenal cortex stores a good amount of ascorbic acid.
- Milk, meat and fish are its poor sources.
- it is not stored in body and excess is excreted soon in the liver.
- helps in the maintenance of germinative cells like fibroblasts, osteoblasts etc.
- It maintains the normality of intercellular matrix by controlling collagenous metabolism.
- It builds up protein and deposits Ca and P to build the bones.
- It speeds up the repair of wounds.
- It takes part in RBC formation in the bone marrow.
- It has some role in carbohydrate metabolism.
- In cell metabolism, it acts as a hydrogen carrier.
- it aids insulin production.
- it has its role in tyrosine metabolism.
- It increases iron absorption from the intestine.
- it increases the resistance against the infections and allergy. Inadequate doses, it can abort common cold.
- It aids the conversion of folic acid to folinic acid, which is essential for RBC - formation and metabolism of the cell nucleus.
Vitamin C Deficiency:
It is not stored in the body so its deficiency symptoms occur faster. The disease caused by its deficiency is called 'scurvy'.
Scurvy is characterised by capillary bleeding, gum-bleeding, petechial haemorrhage under the periosteum of bones. it gives rise to green-stick fracture of the bone in children. Its deficiency also gives rise to bad teeth.