Vitamins are a class of organic compounds. They fall in the category of micronutrients.
Body is unable to synthesize them, they must be provided by food.
Two main types: Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E and K
Daily Sources
requirement
Vitamin A Animal foods: Foods rich in retinol are
600 micrograms liver, eggs, butter, cheese, whole milk,
fish and meat.
Plant foods: Green leafy vegetables,
papaya, mango, carrots etc. Carotenes
are converted to vitamin A in the small
intestine. This action is poorly
accomplished in malnourished children
and those suffering from diarrhea.
Fortified foods: Foods fortified with
Vitamin A (e.g vanaspati, margarine and
milk) can be an important source.
Vitamin D Sunlight:
Adults: 100 I.U (2.5 Vitamin D is synthesized by the body
mcg) by the action of U.V rays of sunlight
Pregnancy: 400 I.U on 7-dehydro-cholestrol in skin.
(10 mcg) Food: Liver, egg yolk, butter, cheese,
Infants & children: some species of fish.
200 I.U (5.0 mcg) Others: Foods fortified with vitamin
D such as milk, margarine, vanaspati
and infant foods.
Vitamin E Vegetable oils, cotton seed oil,
8-10 mg Tocopherol sunflower seed, egg yolk and butter.
Vitamin K Vitamin K1:- green vegetables, fruits
0.03 mg/kg Vitamin K2:- synthesized by intestinal
bacteria
& Water soluble Vitamins: Vitamin of B group, C and Folate
Functions
 Vitamin A is indispensable for normal
vision. It contributes to the production of
retinal pigments which are needed for
night vision.
 It is essential for maintaining the integrity
and functioning of glandular & epithelial
tissue.
 It supports growth especially skeletal
growth.
 It provides immunity, it is anti-infective.
 It may protect against some epithelial
cancers such as bronchial cancers
 It is an essential component of Rhodopsin
and Iodopsin
 Intestine: Promotes intestinal absorption
of calcium & phosphorus.
 Bone: Stimulates normal mineralization,
increase bone reabsorption, affects
collagen maturation.
 Kidney: Increase tubular reabsorption of
phosphate
 Others: Permits normal growth.
 It commonly functions as an antioxidant
protecting cell membranes and other cellular
structures from attack of free radicals, thus
protecting against diseases like cancer, CHD,
Alzheimer's disease and cataracts.
* Stimulates production or release of certain
coagulation factors.
Deficiency/Excess diseases & Preventive measures
The signs of vitamin A deficiency are predominantly ocular. They
include; Night blindness, Conjunctival xerosis, Bitot’s spots, Corneal
xerosis, and Keratomalacia. All manifestations are collectively called
“Xerophthalmia”.
Extra-ocular manifestations comprise; Follicular hyperkeratosis,
Anorexia, Growth retardation, Respiratory and intestinal infections.
Treatment & Prevention
Short term actions: Administration of large doses of Vitamin A orally,
100,000 I.U every 6 months for Children (6 months -1 year of age) and
200,000 I.U for Children (1 year-6 years of age)
Medium term actions: Fortification of certain foods with vitamin A like
vanaspati ghee, margarine and dried milk etc.
Long term actions: Persuading people to consume generously dark
green leafy vegetables. Promotion of Breast feeding.
Immunization against infectious diseases such as measles.
Deficiency: Rickets in children of 6 months-2 years. There is reduced
calcification of growing bones. Characteristics are;
Growth failure, Muscular hypotonia, Tetany, Convulsions,
Bony deformities (Curved legs, deformed pelvis, pigeon chest,
Harrison's sulcus, Rickety Rosary, Kyphoscoliosis), Frontal bossing,
Delayed walking and teething.
Osteomalacia: It occurs mainly in women, especially during pregnancy
and lactation. In adults it is typically asymptomatic at first. Eventually
bone pain occurs along with weakness due to calcium deficiency,
fractures may occur with little or no trauma.
Treatment & Prevention
* Vitamin D deficiency is treated with calciferol (D2), 50,000
international units orally once or twice weekly for 6 – 12 months
followed by at least 1000 IU daily.
* Regular exposure to sunshine.
* Periodic dosing of Vitamin D in children
* Vitamin D fortification of foods, especially milk.
Signs of vitamin E deficiency include
* Neuromuscular problems such as spinocerebellar ataxia, myopathies,
dysarthria, absence of deep tendon reflexes, loss of vibratory sensation
and proprioception, and positive Babinski sign.
* Anemia, threatened abortions in female and male infertility.
Treatment: Vitamin E supplements of 100 – 400 IU per day.
Deficiency:- Prothrombin content of blood is markedly decreased and
the blood clotting time is prolonged.
Soon after birth, all infants or those at increased risk should receive a
single I/M dose of vitamin K preparation (0.1-0.2 mg of menadione
sodium bisulphite or 0.5 mg of vitamin K1) as prophylaxis.
 Vitamin C Fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. * Vit C is a potent antioxidant Deficiency: Early manifestations are non specific like malaise, weakness.
40 mg per day Germinating pulses contain good * It is needed for the formation of collagen. Late manifestations include Scurvy. Signs of scurvy are; Perifollicular
amounts. * It inhibits nitrosamine formation by the intestinal hemorrhages, Subcutaneous bruising, Splinter hemorrhages, Swollen
mucosa. and bleeding gums, Bleeding into the joints, Anemia, Weakness and
* It reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron & facilitates the Delayed wound healing
absorption of iron. Late stages of Scurvy include Edema, Oliguria, Neuropathy,
* It is involved in tyrosine & drug metabolism Intracerebral hemorrhage leading to death.
Treatment
Adult scurvy can be treated with 300-1000 mg of ascorbic acid /day.
Vitamin B complex All natural foods like whole grain * It is essential for the utilization of carbohydrates. Deficiency diseases are:
group cereals, wheat, gram, yeast, pulses, * Thiamine pyrophosphate is a coenzyme which  Beriberi
Thiamine oilseeds, nuts, fish, lean meats and activates transketolase an enzyme in direct oxidative  Wernick’s encephalopathy (seen in alcoholics)
(Vit. B1) milk. pathway for glucose metabolism. Treatment & Prevention
1.4 mg * Thiamine hydrochloride daily oral dose of 5-10 mg/day.
* Mixed diet containing thiamine rich foods.
Riboflavin Milk, eggs, liver, kidney, & green leafy * It has a fundamental role in cellular oxidation Lesions associated with riboflavin deficiency are: Angular stomatitis,
(Vit. B2) vegetables. Meat & fish contain small * Maintaining the integrity of mucocutaneous Glossitis, Cheilosis, Nasolabial dyssebacia, Impaired neuromotor
0.6 mg per 1000 kcal amounts. structures. functions
of energy intake * Cofactor of enzymes in energy metabolism.
Niacin (Vit. B3) Liver, kidney, meat, poultry, fish, * Niacin is essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, Niacin deficiency results in Pellagra, characterized by three D’s;
6.0 mg/1000 kcal of legumes, & ground nuts. Tryptophan, proteins, & fat. Diarrhea, Dermatitis, Dementia, Glossitis and stomatitis
energy intake serves as its precursor (about 60 mg of * It is also essential for the normal functioning of The dermatitis is bilaterally symmetrical and is found on those surfaces
tryptophan is required to produce 1 mg skin, intestinal & nervous systems. of the body exposed to sunlight, such as back of the hands, lower legs,
of niacin). face and neck.
Pantothenic acid Liver, lean meats, soya bean and * It is present in the cells as co-enzyme A. Deficiency symptoms are: Burning of palms and soles, weak memory,
(Vit. B5) 10 mg peanuts * Has role in the biosynthesis of Corticosteroids. early greying of hairs and baldness
Pyridoxine Milk, liver, meat, egg yolk, fish, cereals, * A coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids * Pyridoxine deficiency is associated with peripheral neuritis. Patients
(Vit. B6) 2 mg/day legumes, & vegetables. Has role in formation of RBCs & antibodies receiving INH are provided with a supplement of Pyridoxine (10mg/kg).
Biotin Liver, egg yolk, soybean, fish, whole * Energy metabolism Deficiency is rare, as it is synthesized by GI bacteria. Patients on total
Vit. B7 grains, also produced by GI bacteria I/V nutrition are at risk.
Vitamin B 12 Liver, Kidney, Meat, fish, eggs, milk, * Vitamin B12 cooperates with Folate in the Deficiency is seen in strict vegetarians and is associated with:
(Cyanocobalamin) cheese. It is also synthesized by synthesis of DNA  Megaloblastic anemia (pernicious anemia)
Adults 1 mcg bacteria in colon. Vitamin B 12 is not * Vitamin B 12 is used in the synthesis of fatty acids  Demyelinating neurological lesions in the spinal cord
Pregnancy 1.2 mcg found in foods of vegetable origin. Its in myelin About 2 mg are stored in liver, and another 2 mg elsewhere in the
Lactation 1.5 mcg absorption requires intrinsic factor body. These stores are sufficient to tide over any deficiency for 1 – 3
Infants & children from the stomach, and is absorbed in years. Because of these reserves, deficiency of vitamin B 12 appears to
0.2 mcg the terminal ileum. be rare.
Folic Acid Liver, meat, dairy products, eggs, milk, * Folic acid plays a role in the synthesis of nucleic Deficiency results in
Vit. B9 fruits and cereals are as good dietary acids (which constituent the chromosome).  Megaloblastic anemia
Adults 200 mcg sources as leafy vegetables, * It is also needed for the normal development of  Glossitis
Pregnancy 500 mcg overcooking destroys it. red blood cells in the marrow.  Cheilosis
Lactation 300 mcg  Gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea
Children  Infertility or sterility
80-120 mcg