VITAMINS

/Minerals
Use
Deficiency
RDA
 VITAMINS
 VITAMINS- essential organic molecules needed
in very small amounts for cellular metabolism
 Primary Deficiency of a Vitamin- occurs when the
vitamin is not consumed in sufficient amounts to
meet physiologic needs
 Secondary Deficiency- develops when absorption
is impaired or excess excretion occurs
 VITAMINS
Categories
Water Soluble Vitamins- Vitamin B Complex,
Choline, Vitamin C
Fat Soluble Vitamins- Vitamins A, D, E, K
Food Sources: Almost all foods, yet NO one
food group is a good source of all vitamins; fresh
fruits and vegetables are particularly rich sources
MINERAL
 inorganic elements present in soil and water,
which are absorbed by plants or consumed by
animals.
 calcium, sodium, and potassium
 trace minerals (e.g. copper, iodine, and zinc)
needed in very small amounts
 WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 THIAMINE (B1)
 functions: to serve as coenzyme in energy
metabolism; role in nerve functioning related to
muscle actions
 RDA: 1.2 mg for men/ 1.1 mg for women
 Deficiency: BERI-BERI—2 Types
WET- manifests with edema affecting cardiac
function
DRY- affects the CNS, producing paralysis and
extreme muscle wasting
 Toxicity: non-toxic; excess is excreted in urine
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 RIBOFLAVIN (B2)
 function: coenzyme in the release of energy from
nutrients
 sensitive to light
 RDA: 1.3 mg for men/ 1.1 mg for women
 Deficiency: ARIBOFLAVINOSIS—S/SX

CHEILOSIS- lips become swollen and cracks

develop in corners of the mouth
GLOSSITIS- inflammation of the tongue
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 NIACIN (B3)
 functions: coenzyme for many enzymes; critical
for glycolysis and Kreb’s cycle
 occurs naturally in 2 forms: NICOTINIC ACID
and NIACINAMIDE
 RDA: 16 IU for men/ 14 IU for women
 Deficiency: PELLAGRA—3D’s ( Diarrhea,
Dermatitis, Dementia )
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 PYRIDOXINE (B6)
 functions: coenzyme in the metabolism of amino
acids and CHON
 3 forms ( pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine )
all can be converted to the coenzyme pyridoxal
phosphate for use in the body
 RDA: 1.3 mg for men and women
 Deficiency: S/SX: dermatitis, altered nerve
function, weakness
 WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 FOLATE
 function: coenzyme in reactions involving the transfer
of 1-Carbon units during metabolism
 4 forms ( folate, folic acid, folacin and pteroylglutamic
acid )
 for folate to be maintained for use in the body, Vitamin
B12 must be available
 folate has a role in proper formation of fetal neural
tubes (brain and spinal cord development)
 RDA: 400 mcg for men/women 600mcg for pregnant
women
 Deficiency: megaloblastic anemia—large RBC that
cannot carry oxygen
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 COBALAMIN/CYANOCOBALAMIN (B12)
 functions: coenzyme in nucleic acid metabolism;
needed for maturation of RBC
 absorption of Vitamin B12 relies on an intrinsic
factor (IF) a substance produced by stomach
mucosa
 deficiency: Pernicious Anemia- inadequate RBC
formation caused by lack of IF in the stomach
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
BIOTIN
function: coenzyme in synthesis of
fat, glycogen and amino acids
deficiency: S/SX: scaly red skin rash,
hair loss, loss of appetite, depression
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 PANTOTHENIC ACID
 function: for metabolism of CHO, FATS and
CHON
 deficiency: do not occur in nature
 CHOLINE
 function: needed for synthesis of acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter, and lecithin( phospholipid)
 deficiency: rare
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 ASCORBIC ACID ( VITAMIN C )
 functions: collagen synthesis and other CT;
antioxidant; iron absorption; coenzyme
 RDA: 90 mg for men/ 75 for women/ 125 mg for
smokers
 Deficiency: SCURVY: S/SX—inflammation of
CT, gingivitis, muscle degeneration, bruising and
hemorrhaging as the vascular system weakens
FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 VITAMIN A
 functions: component of visual pigments; needed
for maintenance of epithelial tissues; antioxidant
 RDA: 900 mcg RAE for men/ 700 mcg RAE for
women
 Deficiency: XEROPHTHALMIA—night
blindness progressing to a hard, dry cornea
(keratinization) resulting in complete blindness
 FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 VITAMIN D
 function: aid in absorption and use of calcium and
phosphorus; promotes bone growth
 precursor: 7-dehydrocholesterol (found in the
skin)
 active form: 1,25- dihydrocholecalciferol
 deficiency: RICKETS- a childhood disorder
caused by Vitamin D or Calcium deficiency that
leads to insufficient mineralization of bone and
tooth matrix
 FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 VITAMIN E (TOCOPHEROLS)
 function: antioxidant
 RDA: 15 mg TE for men/women
 Deficiency: rare
 VITAMIN K
 function: cofactor in the synthesis of blood
clotting factors
 deficiency: inhibits blood coagulation
 TEST RESULTS (WET
LAB)

VITAMIN TEST REAGENTS COLOR

THIAMINE HCl HgCl2 White ppt

(B1) Iodine Red-brown ppt

RIBOFLAVIN Transmitted light Pale green

(B2) Alkali solution Yellow-green

Calciferol CHCl3, Acetic anhydride, Brick red – violet - green

(D2) H2SO4

Vitamin K Methanol + KOH Purple – Fuscha –

reddish brown

Niacin NaOH + CuSO4 Blue ppt.