Vitamins

• Vitamins are organic compounds

regularly required in minute quantity in
the diet for normal metabolism, health
and growth.
• Although vitamins have no energy value
but they are important accessory
substances.
• Some vitamins may be stored in the
body chiefly in liver. (Vitamin A, Vitamin
D and Vitamin B12) others must be
supplied constantly because they are
excreted in the urine.

• Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat soluble.

• Vitamin B and C are water soluble.
• Vitamin B and E are not dangerous in
excess quantity because they are easily
washed away from the body. But
Vitamin A and D are harmful in excess
quantity this situation is known as Hyper
vitaminosis. It is characterised by
tiredness, dry skin, loss of hair and loss
of calcium from the bones.
Vitamin A (Chemical Name – Rational)
• It is known as anti infective vitamin.
• It strengthen the integrity of skin,
essential for the formation of Rods and
Cones cells of eye (Ratina).
• It also helps in the growth and formation
of teeth and bones. So, it is more
essential for children and mother.

• Carotene is the provitamin of Vitamin A

and its conversion takes place with the
help of liver.
Sources of Vitamin A
• Yellow and green vegetables, fruits, egg
yolk, milk, cod liver oil, butter, ghee etc.

• Carotene find in carrot, maize, spinach

and papaya.

• Daily requirement of Vitamin A is about

2 mg.
Deficiency :-
1. Night Blindness

2. Blockage of ducts of glands

3. Retarded growth

4. Xerophthalmia
• Headache, vomiting, hair loss, blurd
vision, damage of bone and liver
happens due to high amount of Vitamin
A.
Vitamin B Complex :- It consist of three
different components –

1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) :- It is essential for

healthy nerves. It is easily lost in heat.

• Sources :- Yeast, Peanuts, Pulses, Green

Vegetables, Grain etc.
Deficiency –
• Beriberi – It is characterised by loss of
appetite and weight, retarted growth
and degeneration of nerves.
2. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) :- It is needed for
cellular respiration and growth. It is also
essential for healthy cornea.
• Sources :- Yeast, Egg, Milk, Curd, Pulses,
Green vegetables.
• Deficiency – Cataract, defective skin and
patches on mouth and tongue, cheilosis.
2mg required daily.
3. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) :- It is essential
for Blood formation and protein
metabolism.

• Sources :- Meat, Egg, Milk, Banana etc.

• Deficiency – Mild Anemia and lack of
antibodies, low resistance for infection.

• Daily intake – 2 mg.

4. Vitamin B4 (Niacin) :- It is also known as
vitamin –P. It is essential for healthy
digestive system.
• Deficiency – (Pellagra) This disease is
characterised by skin inflammation. It
deficiency also caused diarrhea.
• Source – Peanuts, Pulses, Yeast, Meat
• Vitamin B3 is also known as Niacin.
5. Vitamin B7 (Biotin) :- Deficiency causes –
muscle pain, itchy skin and weakness.

• Vitamin H is also known as Biotin.

• It forms fatty acids in the body and to
form co-enzymes.

• Sources – Fresh fruits and vegetables,

milk, egg, grains, pulses, yeast.
6. Vitamin B12 – Known as Cobalamin;
Cytamine; Cyanocobalamine as cobalt
present in it. Essential for development
of RBC.

• Source – Egg, Meat, Fish, Yeast.

• Daily Intake – 0.003 mg.
• Disease – Pernicious anemia
7. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) :- Also
useful in synthesis of co-enzyme and
metabolism of protein.

• Source :- Egg, Mushrooms, Grain,

Cereals.
• Its deficiencies are similar to other
vitamin B. But its deficiency is rare.
Muscle cramp can occur due to its
deficiency. It also affects immune system
and nervous system.
8. Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) :-

• Source :- Green Vegetables, Banana,

Orange, Yeast.

• Functions – forms co-enzymes, helpful in

the metabolism of protein and essential
for the formation of RBC.
• Deficiency – Macrocytic Anemia and
failure of RBC to mature. Also causes
spreu (ulcer) ulceration in mouth,
inability to absorb fats, diarrhea.

• Daily Intake – 0.5 mg

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) :- It is the most
abundant vitamin found in the nature.
Animal food are generally deficient in
vitamin C. Plants are rich in vitamin C.
• Source – Citrus fruits, Tomato, Green
Leafy vegetables Guava.
• Daily Intake – 50mg.
Deficiency – Causes Scurvy (bleeding from
gums), leakage of blood within the body,
helps in quick healing of wounds. Its
provides collagen which binds the cells
together and helps in keeping the skin
elastic. Its deficiency decrease the
resistant to common cold.
Vitamin D (Calci Ferrol)
• It is essential for the absorption of
calcium and phosphorus in the body. It
regulates the bones and teeth
formation. It can also be produced in
human body.
• Ergosterol is the provitamin of Calci
Ferol.
• Ergosterol is a colouring matter found in
fat of skin. It is converted into vitamin D
by kidney in the presence of ultra violet
rays. Its deficiency can cause rickets in
children and Osteomalacia in adults.

• Source of Vitamin D – Milk, fish liver oil,

solar UV rays etc.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
• It helps in reproduction it prevents
breakage of RBCs and act as a natural
antioxidant. Its deficiency can cause
destruction of RBC, muscular paralysis
and its deficiency affects reproductive
system.
• Sources – Green leafy vegetables,
vegetables oils, wheat, soybean etc.
Vitamin K (Menadione, Phylloquinone) :-
• It helps in coagulation of blood in
animals by the release of Prothrombin in
the blood. Vitamin K helps in
development of Prothrombin protein.
Due to its deficiency there is problem in
blood clotting.
• This disease is called Haemophilia and it
is popularly known as Queen Disease as
disease is found in queens family in
Britain.