Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins are organic nutrients which are essential for life. The human body requires these nutrients
to ensure normal metabolism, growth and physical well-being. Most vitamins are not made in the
body, or only in insufficient amounts to meet our needs. They therefore have to be obtained
primarily through the food we eat.

Vitamins are classed as micronutrients, and are present in food in minute quantities compared to
macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat). Each of the 13 vitamins known today has specific
functions in the body, which makes each of them unique and irreplaceable

Of the 13 known vitamins, four are fat-soluble, namely vitamins A, D, E and K.The others are water-
soluble: vitamin C and the B-complex, consisting of vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin
and pantothenic acid.

Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for several enzymatic functions in human
metabolism

VITAMIN A (RETINOL, RETINOIC ACID)

• Plays a role in mechanisms required for sight

• Essential for growth and development

• Required for healthy skin, epithelia and mucosa

• Effects on certain endocrine glands

• Important for fertility

• Essential for proper immune functions

• β-Carotene: Provitamin A, biological antioxidant

• Physical symptoms of vitamin A deficiency : Delayed growth and development , Night-

blindness ,Ocular lesions and xerophthalmia , Cutaneous lesions (dry and rough skin) >
Impaired immune functions , Destruction of epithelial tissue (i.e. in lungs, intestines, urinary
tract, genitals)

• Groups at risk of deficiency: Pregnant and lactating women, Infants and young children ,
Populations suffering from poor nutrition .

VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN)

• The role of vitamin B1

• Energy metabolism (co-enzyme)

• Essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins (co-enzyme)

• The dietary requirement for thiamin is proportional to the caloric intake of the diet and
ranges from 1.0 - 1.5 mg/day for normal adults.
 • Required for proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles, which has
implications for proper functioning of the cardiovascular system

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency : Beriberi & Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome.

VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)

• The role of vitamin B2

• Essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (co-enzyme in many
reactions)

• General effect on tissues and organs (maintains health of mucosa)

• Stimulates growth and reproduction

• Plays a role in sight mechanisms

• Conversion of vitamin (B6, folic acid and niacin) into their active co-enzyme forms

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency

• Skin and tissue membrane lesions (lips, tongue, fissures at corners of mouth)

• Ocular symptoms (corneal vascularisation associated with sensitivity to bright light,

impaired vision, itching)

• Inflamed mucosal membranes

VITAMIN B3 (NIACIN)

• Niacin is available in both animal & plant food and is made in the body from tryptophane.

• The role of vitamin B3---

• Required for the energy supply to all metabolic reactions in the body

• Required for growth

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency

• Pellagra

• Skin lesions

• Digestive inefficiency

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

Loss of appetite

VITAMIN B5 (PANTOTHENIC ACID)

• The role of vitamin B5

• Required for the synthesis of co-enzyme A and acyl carrier protein (ACP)

• Key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats

 • Important for maintenance and repair of tissues and cells (skin, hair, and membranes)

• Helps in healing of wounds and lesions

• Pantethine (dimeric form of vitamin B5) normalizes blood lipid profiles

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B5 deficiency

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headaches

• Tingling sensations (‘burning feet’ syndrome)

VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE)

• Pyridoxine functions as a cofactor in enzymes reactions required for the synthesis &
catabolism of the amino acids as well as in glycogenolysis.

• The role of vitamin B6

• Required for the majority of biological reactions (i.e. amino acid metabolism, antibody
production, neurotransmitter synthesis, red blood cell formation)

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency

• Deficiency of vitamin B6 alone is uncommon; usually it occurs in combination with a deficit

in other B-vitamins

• Poor growth

• Kidney stones

• Depression

• General fatigue

• Dizziness

• Nerve problems

• Irritability

• Convulsions

Cutaneous lesions

VITAMIN B7 (BIOTIN)

• The role of vitamin B7

• Involved in many cellular reactions

• Intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, particularly in protein

metabolism of hair roots and finger nail cells

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency

 • Deficiency due to lack of dietary intake is rare

• General fatigue

• Nausea

• Neurological problems

Poor skin and hair quality

VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID)

• The role of vitamin B9

• Required for the production of nucleic acids and in cell reproduction (i.e. red and white
blood cells, nerve cells)

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B9 deficiency Tiredness

• Loss of appetite

• Fewer but larger red blood cells (megaloblastic or macrocytic anemia)

• Weakness

• Neurological problems

• Digestive problems

VITAMIN B12 (COBALOMINE)

• B12 functions as a cofactor for enzymes required for the catabolism of fatty acids & the
conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

• The role of vitamin B12

• Required for the formation of red blood cells to prevent anemia

• Essential growth factor

• Regeneration of folate

• Involved in fat and carbohydrate metabolism

• Essential for co-enzyme function, especially in cells of the nervous tissue, bone marrow and
gastrointestinal tract

• Physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

• megaloblastic anemia

• General fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Gastric atrophy

• Neuromuscular pain

Neurological problems (gait, memory)