Vitamin Health Benefit Deficiency Toxicity

Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A Maintenance of normal vision Fairly common; results in night Unlikely from diet alone, but supplements
(beta-carotene and night vision  blindness, keratomalacaia, eye and excessive fish oil may produce toxic
or retinol) Essential for immune system  disease, dry pimply skin, increased symptoms such as increased skull pressure,
Necessary for growth; induces infections, and kidney stones hair loss, and blurred vision
differentiation of cells
Vitamin D Helps to maintain constant Disease is rickets, softening of Most people do not take in supplemental
(calciferols) levels of calcium in the blood  bones that leads to fracture, form since the body produces its own via
Important in insulin and symptoms include soft bones and exposure to the sun 
prolactin secretion, muscle teeth
function, immune and stress Toxic in doses larger than 1,000-1,1500
response, melanin synthesis, and I.U.s daily for a month or longer; produces
cellular differentiation  nausea, weakness, and irritability 
Vital for kidney and
parathyroid gland function May lead to brain or liver damage,
Necessary for healthy bones jaundice, and the destruction of red blood
cells
Vitamin E Protects vitamin A from No disease; hemolytic Unlikely, although high doses increase the
(tocopherols) oxidation during digestion  anemia(abnormal breakdown of action of anticoagulant medications 
Enhances immune response RBC that leads to fatigue)
Inhibits carcinogens from High doses also interfere with the
reaching target sites  absorption of other fat-soluble vitamins,
Can stop neurological problems particularly vitamin K
associated with cystic fibrosis, Heart failure
liver disease early in disease
process 
Detoxifies free radicals,
prevents damage to cell
membranes 

Prevents LDL cholesterol from

turning into damaging oxidized
LDL, lead to arterial plaque which
cause heart disease 
Vitamin K Helps blood coagulate  Susceptibility to bleeding From food it is rare; can occur with
 Vitamin
Biotin ( Vitamin B7)
Vitamin B-1 (thiamin)
(phylloquinone
) In conjunction glucose
and D helps bodyReverse
protein  diabetes
Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin)
Choline
Given as injection
help blood clot,and
women before labor
before and afterInvolved
Folic acid (folate,
B9 vitamin)
Niacin (vitamin B-3)
Vitamin B-12 (cobalmin)
Pantothenic Acid
( Vitamin B-5)
Health Benefit
Health
Maintain Benefit
blood glucose level Deficiency
Inflammation of small intestine Toxicity
No evidence of toxicity at high doses
in diabetes as wellWater-Soluble
as strength Dermatitis (skin
Vitamins inflammation
the fingernail & prevent hair and rehashes)
Vital for healthy nervous Disease is beriberi, depression, No toxicity has been reported by those
loss.Key role in symptoms include baldness, a
system and nerve transmission  irritability, attention deficit  taking large doses over prolonged
metabolizing fats, CHO, and rash around the mouth and nose,
Severe deficiency leads to periods of time
proteinsPart of a number of and dry, flaky skin
Essential in converting edema, paralysis, and heartmedical treatment 
enzymes in which it functions
with to energy
as a vitamins
carboxyl A carrier
failure and nervous ailment like
the
build bone kidney damage in loss of sensation. Not sold as a supplement
Manufactured in lower
digestive tract by bacteria
Essential for metabolizing Ariboflavinosis(symptoms No evidence that high doses have toxic
Helps maintain central Increased fatty deposits in liver, Nontoxic, but excess consumption may
carbohydrates,
to newborns fats, and lipids include sore throat, effects
nervous system to memory loss, poor muscle result in tension headache
for the degradation
sometimes to of fatty inflammation of tongue and
Precursor to acetylcholine, a coordination
acids or
andtothe synthesis of ATP scaly skin around the genital)
patients
neurotransmitter 
Acts
surgery as an intermediary in Also cause dry, scaly skin on
in production and
the transfer of electrons in face, oral swelling, and cracking
metabolism of fats and
oxidation-reduction reactions  at the corners of the mouth
cholesterol 
Necessary for the function
Protects liver from fatty
of vitamins B-6, folic acid, and
deposits
niacin 
It helps release serotonin(anti Birth Defect, Neural tube defect Too much encourage various form of
Involved in formation of red
depressant) and prevent Leads to anemia similar to that Cancer including prostate and lung
blood cells and maintenance of
cervical cancer ↑ IQUsed by caused by B-12 deficiency Can mask B-12 deficiency (which
body tissues, particularly the
body to break down and Can exist without anemia with causes neurologic problems) at high
skin and eyes
synthesize amino acids & broad signs including doses and interfere with some seizure
Enables body to use  Disease is pellagra Liver Damage, itching, skin flushing,
nucleotide metabolism  generalized weakness, easy and cancer drugs
carbohydrates, fats, and Symptoms of deficiency: and gastrointestinal distress 
Helps synthesize nucleic fatigability, irritability, and
proteins (to provide energy), digestive upsets, insomnia,
acids, which are needed build cramps
and amino acids  headaches, fatigue, sore and Time-released capsules have caused
new cells, RBC
Influences metabolism of swollen tongue (disease is much impaired liver function, reported
Recommended for women
DNA, NAD, NADP  worse) jaundice, and liver failure
of childbearing age
Used to build red blood cells Megaloblastic anemia None reported
Aids nervous system and Toxic in high doses 
and
digestive maintain
tract function and steady (corruption of RBC in bone May produce skin discoloration and
metabolism:
promotes healthyalsoskinthought to marrow) dryness, decrease glucose tolerance,
Pernicious anemia, muscle and
act as anti depressant and produce high uric acid levels,
nerve paralysis
increase energy level. aggravation of peptic ulcers, and
Essential in making certain symptoms that accompany hepatitis
Necessary for adrenal
amino acids and turning otherscortex Parathesia (Sensation of limbs Diarrhea
function (anti
into hormones  stress) ´FALLING ASLEEP’)
Claims Can Deficiency
result in abdominal Toxicity
Involved
Part of chemistry in ofmetabolizing
coenzyme distress, vomiting, cramps,
PUFA
A, which and proteins 
is vital to burning in heels, fatigue, and
Formation
metabolism of ofCHO,niacin 
fats,Works
and insomnia
proteins
with and involved
folic in
acid to 
making
producefatty acids, cells 
red blood lowering
cholesterol, acetylcholine,
steroid hormones, and nerve
Formation of niacin  Helps
regulators
build and maintain protective
Mineral
Calcium-(Ca) Developing and Reduces the If severe, may lead to High doses may cause constipation
maintaining risk of osteoporosis  abnormal heartbeat, and interfere with kidney function and 
healthy bones and dementia, muscle iron absorption 
teeth  Prevents cancer  spasms, and
convulsions  also causes tissue calcification 
Assists in blood Useful in treating
clotting, muscle high blood pressure; Brittle, thinning bones May cause magnesium deficiency
contraction, nerve lowers cholesterol; (osteoporosis)
transmission  helps prevent CVD

Involved in Helps alleviate

production of cramps in the legs 
energy and
maintenance of Useful in treating
immune function and preventing
arthritis 

Helps keep skin

healthy

Chromium Aids in glucose »Treatment and Possibly glucose Hexavalent chromium is toxic and carcinogenic,
metabolism and prevention of intolerance, impaired but the dietary form (trivalent) has very low
regulates blood diabetes Protects growth, elevated blood toxicity 
sugar; essential against CVD and cholesterol, and fatty
trace element high BP deposits in the arteries Trivalent form not associated with any type of
»Useful in treating cancer
hypoglycemia
Copper »Essential trace Anticancer »Second most common Relatively nontoxic
element; one of the substance  trace metal
factors in deficiency occurring 
hemoglobin Protective against during intravenous
formulation; helps cardiovascular feeding 
stimulate the disease  »Symptoms include
absorption of iron; anemia that is
plays a role in Anti-inflammatory unresponsive to iron,
respiration  and useful against lowered white blood
»Helps maintain some forms of cell count, and loss of
cell membranes; arthritis  bone density
part of enzyme that (osteoporosis)
protects against Immune booster
cellular damage;
prevents
peroxidation of
PUFA 
»Involved in
production of
collagen, elastin,
melanin, and the
neurotransmitter
noradrenalin 

Iodine Integral part of the Protects against toxic Major cause of »High doses may aggravate acne (rare from diet
thyroid hormones effects from hypothyroidism in the or typical supplement consumption) 
TH that have radioactive materials  world 
important »High doses may lead to a temporary block of
metabolic roles; Relieves pain and Symptoms include hormone synthesis and temporary
factor in thethyroid soreness from chronic fatigue, apathy, hyperthyroidism 
glands regulation fibrocystic breasts  dry skin, intolerance to
of energy cold, weight gain, and »Over prolonged periods, high doses may result
production Good for loosening enlargement of the in hyperthyroidism 
up clogged mucus in thyroid »High doses greater than 50 milligrams/day may
the breathing tubes  lead to inflammation of  the salivary glands,
Good antiseptic  which is easily reversed
Iron Necessary in red Prevents and cures »Iron-deficiency anemia Toxic after prolonged usage; reports are rare 
blood cell iron-deficiency (significant decrease in
formation and anemia  number of red blood Some concern that unbound iron can generate free
function  cells), which means radicals and be  destructive to cells, but usually
decreased oxygenation occurs just with certain genetic disorders 
Protection from Anticarcinogenic of tissues and symptoms
oxidant damage; of fatigue and muscle Over supplementation may cause abdominal pain,
maintenance of the Boosts physical weakness diarrhea, or constipation
immune system  performance  »Associated with
Plummer-Vision
Backbone of Prevents learning Syndrome, when there is
energy-producing disorders in children difficulty in swallowing
process  solid food because a
Involved in the web-like membrane
production of grows across the
carnitine, collagen, esophagus (Note:
elastin, several supplementation has
brain been found to eliminate
neurotransmitters this condition)