VITAMINS

Formerly known as accessory food factors

CHARACTERISTICS
>sensitive to heat, oxygen and light
>occur in minute quantities
>found in outer surface of food
>dietary essentials
>necessary in enzyme system that catalyze reaction
in energy utilization.
TERMS:
>precursors/provitamins- potential vitamins
>preformed vitamin
>avitaminosis
>hypervitaminosis
>vitamin malnutrition
>vitamin-like compounds

>anti-vitamins/vitamin antagonist
>synthetic vitamins
CLASSIFICATIONS
1. ) FAT SOLUBLE
General properties:
a. Generally have precursors or provitamins
b. Deficiencies are slow to develop
c. Not absolutely needed daily from food sources
d. Generally stable
2.) WATER SOLUBLE
General properties:
a. must be supplied in the diet
b. do not have precursors
c. not stored significantly in the body & excess excreted
in the urine
d. deficiency symptoms develop relatively fast
e. most likely to be destroyed in ordinary cooking

VITAMIN A
Current Names:
Retinol
Dehydroretinol
Functions:

Retinoic acid
Retinaldehyde

*Maintains integrity of epithelial tissues

*Needed for normal night vision
*Needed for normal bone and skeletal growth
*Needed for stability of cell membrane of the nervous
system

SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY
*Eye lesions
*Retarded growth
*Low resistance to infection
*Faulty skeletal and dental
development
*Keratinization of epithelial linings
*Respiratory , GU and GI disturbances
*Toad`s skin or phrynoderma
FOOD SOURCES

Pre-formed
liver
eggyolk
milk
cream butter
cheese
fortified margarine
skim milk
dilis
clams
tahong
fish liver oils
Precursors
malunggay
kamote
kangkong
sili
saluyot
ampalaya
carrot
squash
tiesa
papaya

SIGNS OF EXCESS
*Headache
*Nausea and vomiting
*Thickening of the skin
*Coarse, sparse hair
RDA:
Males
525
Females
450
Pregnant (lst Tri.)
475
(2nd and 3rd
+25
Lactation (1-6 mos)
775
(7-12 mos)
725

Males
425

10 - 12
13 - 15

475
16 - 19
525
Females 10 -12
400
13 - 15
425
16 - 19
450

VITAMIN D
- anti-rachitic or ricket-preventive
Forms: vitamin
Ergocalciferol or irradiated ergosterol (Vit.
Cholecalciferol
D2
(Vit. D3)
FUNCTIONS:
- Promotes normal bone and tooth
development
SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY: SIGNS OF EXCESS
*TETANY
*Nausea
diarrhea polyuria
*RICKETS
*OSTEOMALACIA
*Weight loss
RDA
*Demineralizatio
100 - 400
n
FOOD
IU SOURCES
Fortified margarine butter
milk
cheese
liver and other glandular organs
fish liver oils

VITAMIN E
-Tocopherol

FUNCTIONS:
* Cellular respiration
*Antioxidant
*Prevent hemolysis
DEFICIENCY
*Hemolysis of RBC
*Low blood tocopherol levels
* Increase urinary excretion of
creatinine
*Nervousness, muscular, circulatory and glandular
changes
RDA 4mg alpha-tocopherol equi. Or 6
IU/day SOURCES:
FOOD
Germ oils of wheat, corn, cottonseed or soybean
pod
nuts, legumes, eggyolk, liver, butter, milk

VITAMIN K
- Anti-hemorrhagic
FUNCTIONS:factor
* Maintains prothrombin level in the blood
*Phosphorylation
*Synthesis of
SIGNS OF
osteocalcin
DEFICIENCY
*Delayed blood clotting
*Hemorrhagic disease in the newborn
SIGNS OF EXCESS
Vomiting
hemolysis
albuminuria
kernicterus
RDA
Children
30 - 60 ug/day
Adults
50- 141 ug/day
FOOD SOURCES
Liver dark green leaves wheat bran
tomatoes
vegetable oils seeds/legumes eggyolk

ASCORBIC ACID (Vitamin C)

- anti scorbutic vitamin
FUNCTIONS
*Formation and maintenance of intercellular cementing
*Conversion
substance of folic acid to folinic acid
*Healing of wound and bone
fractures
*Prevents megaloblastic anemia and petechial
hemorrhage
*Builds body resistance
*Steroid hormone and insulin synthesis
*Tyrosine and phenylalanine metabolism
*Iron utilization
*Anti-oxidant
*Brain metabolism

CHARACTERISTICS:
most unstable of all the vitamins
almost completely absorbed in the small
intestines
hardly stored in the tissues
SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY:
Early Signs:
general weakness pallor
irritability
lack of appetite lowered resistance to
infection
Severe Signs:
Scurvy with the following characteristics:
bleeding, swollen gums
loose teeth
internal hemorrhages / pinpoint hemmorhages
capillary fragility
megaloblastic anemia
Frog`s position

REQUIREMENT
Ref. Man
Infants 6-11mos
75mg/day
30mg/day
Ref. Woman
Children 1-3
70
4-6
Pregnancy 2nd tri.
45
+10
7-9
3rd tri
55
120 SOURCES: fresh fruits eaten raw
FOOD
Lactation
Excellent
sources
120
Anonas
bayabas
datiles
kamatsile
kasuy
strawberry
melon
Very
good sources
papaya
Citrus fruits
vegetables
green pepper

mangoes
tomatoes

35

green leafy
atis

VITAMIN B1
(THIAMIN)
-antiberiberi -anti-neuritic factor
-aneurin

-morale vitamin

CHARACTERISTICS
stable when dry
easily destroyed by alkalis
absorption is facilitated by an acid medium
concentrated in the kidneys, liver, brain and
limited storage in the body
muscles
Fat and CHON spare thiamin
CHO increases need for thiamin
FUNCTION
S:
1. CHO metabolism 2. Maintains functioning of GIT, nervous
& cardio system
SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY
- loss of appetite
-weakness
Early signs:
- indigestion
-severe constipation
-gastric atony
-poor reflexes
-numbness of extremities
-retarded growth

Late Sign: Beri-beri or nutritional

polyneuritis
Types
of Beri-beri
A. Infantile
aphonia
cyanosis

whining cry
difficulty of
breathing

B. Wet
edema
enlarged heart
difficulty of breathing
C. Dry
calf muscle tenderness
pins and needles
muscle atrophy
gradual loss of touch sensation
Wernicke-Korsokoff
reduced leg reflexes
> No signs of excess
syndrome
RD
reported
20 - 79 y/0
0.9 - 1.3
A Ref man
Ref
woman 20 - 79 y/o
0.7 mg/day
Pregnancy
2nd & 3rd tri + 0.3
Lactation
1.0
+0.4
Infants
0.4

FOOD SOURCES:
Outstanding Sources:
lean pork

pork liver shell fish

Excellent Sources
liver and organ meats legumes
egg yolk

dried yeast

unpolished rice

rice bran

whole grains

wheat germ

RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN 2)
FUNCTION
S:
>essential FMN and FAD components of conenzymes
> needed in the conversion of tytopjhan to niacin
> maintains healthy skin, tongue and mouth
> for normal vision
> for proper bone growth and development
CHARACTERISTICS:
> easily destroyed by light, irradiation and alkalis
> absorbed in the small intestines
> storage is limited
RIBOFLAVIN ANTAGONISTS
atabrine
isoriboflavi
n

galactoflavin

Signs of
>early signs are similar to thiamin
Deficiency:
deficiency
advanced stage:
Ariboflavinosis
> tissue changes on the skin, eyes mouth , nose and tongue
> seborrheic dermatitis
> itchy eyes with burning sensation and corneal vasculariza
> glossitis
> cheilosis
Requirement and Allowance:
0.4 mg/ 1000 cal + 20 % margin of
safety
FOOD SOURCES
cheese
milk
eggs
liver
meat
glandular organs
whole grain
legumes
leafy green vegetables
seaweeds

NIACIN

ACTIVE FORMS
Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide
Precursor: Tryptophan
CHARACTERISTICS
most stable among the water-soluble vitamins
stored in limited amounts
synthesized from tryptophan
60 mgTtryptohan = 1 mg Niacin
Antivitamins: INH & 3-Acetylpyridine
FUNCTIONS
1.CHO metabolism
2. Normal growth, healthy skin
3. Maintenance of GIT and nervous
system

SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY
Anorexia
skin changes
Pellagra: 4 D`s
Dematitiis
Dementia

lassitude
glossitis

indigestion
angular stomatitis

Diarrhea
Death

Requirement and Allowance:

13 - 18 mg/day
FOOD SOURCES
Liver and glandular organs
lean meat
fish and poultry
milk eggs
cheese
legumes
nuts whole grains
green
vegetables
Corn
poor source

PYRIDOXINE (Vitamin B6)

3 Forms: Pyridoxol, Pyriodoxol,
Pyridoxamine
CHARACTERISTICS
Readily absorbed in the intestines
Storage is limited
All 3 forms are converted to active coenzyme Pyridoxal
Contraceptives increase the need for it
Phosphate
Antagonists: deoxypyridoxine,
methoxypyridoxine
FUNCTIONS
CHON metabolism
Catalyzes urea production, fatty acid synthesis,
conversion of niacin to tryptophan
Synthesis of heme portionof hemoglobin
Normal function of CNS

Signs of

Deficiency:

Irritability
convulsions

poor growth

anemia

> No Phil RDA (USA:

2mg/day)
FOOD
SOURCES:
Vegetable oils
olive
peanut
lard

cottonseed

wheat germ

linseed

rice germ

legumes especially beans and nuts

COBALAMIN (Vitamin
B12)
CHARACTERISTICS

Absorbed in the intestines with the aid of Intrinsic

factor
Can be stored in the liver
CHON complex in food
Most active form: Adenylcobamine
FUNCTION
S
Helps in the synthesis of heme, nucleic acid and
thymine
For normal functioning of nerves,bone marrow and GIT
Prevents pernicious anemia

SIGNS 0F DEFICIENCY
Pernicious Anemia
Anorexia
Achlorhydria
Weight Loss

Vomiting
Abdominal pain
reterded frowth

Liver and spleen enlargement

Jaundice, nerve degeneration, parethesia,
loss of vibratory sense, difficulty in walking
RDA: No Phil RDA, US RDA = 3 ug /
day
FOOD SOURCES: animal proteins

Diarrhea

FOLIC ACID (PGA, FOLATE)

FUNCTIONS:
Erythropoeisis
Synthesis of Hemoglobin
Partner of DNA
DEFICIENCY:
Megaloblastic anemia of
infancy
Macrocytic anemia of
pregnancy

PANTOTHENIC ACID
FUNCTIONS
Synthesis of lipids, acethylcholine and porphyrin
ring
Needed for CHO, CHON, and fat
metabolism
For normal growth, healthy skin
Maintains integrity of the
CNS formation
Heme
RDA: 4-7 mg / day
FOOD SOURCES
Liver and gladular organs
meat

eggs

milk

cheese

legumes

BIOTIN

OTHER NAME:
Anti-eggwhite injury factor
Obsolete names: vitamin H, coenzyme R and Bios II, and has been
called micro-micronutrient
FUNCTIONS:
CHIEF ROLE-coenzyme factor in CO2 fixation
-together with active acetate (CoA), helps in synthesis of purines, pyrimidines,
fatty acids and carboxylation reaction.
-not readily absorbed compared to other B vitamins
MALNUTRITION:
No noted deficiency in poor diet. In rats fed with large amounts of Biotin,
deficiency signs are spectacle eyes,alopecia, greasy, scaly dermatitis, &
paralysis of hind legs.
No toxic effects noted.
RDA: 150-300 mcg/day
FOOD SOURCES: liver,glandular organs, meets, eggyolk, milk, molasses,
whole grain, legumes and nuts.

CHOLINE

FUNCTIONS:
-major source of methyl-(CH3) group in the diet.
-metabolism is closely related to that of folate and methionine as
methyl donors.
-lipotropic agent; mobilizes fat and prevents fatty liver
-needed for fat transport as a constituent of phospholipids,
namely: lecithin, cephalin and sphingomyelin.
-integral component of acetylcholine, helps in transmission of
nerve impulses, influence cell permeability.
MALNUTRITION: fatty livers as in chronic alcoholism and
kwashiorkor, hemorrhage of kidneys in lower animals.
RDA: infant formulas- at least 7 mg/100 Kcal
FOOD SOURCES:eggyolk (richest), also liver, brain, kidney, heart,
meats, legumes & nuts

INOSITOL

OTHER NAME:
muscle sugar(chemistry is closely similar to glucose)
BIOLOGICAL ROLE:
-in animal cells, component of phospholipids.
-in plants, occurs as phytic acid, which is a hexaphosphate ester
of inositol and interferes with calcium and iron absorption by binding
these minerals forming insoluble complexes that are excreted as such.
-lower animals, it acts as a lipotropic agent. Linked with
phospholipids which help in the transport and metabolism of fats.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
-in rats, alopecia (baldness) & curious eye(areas around the
eyes are especially denuded, speckled appearance)
FOOD SOURCE: meat & meat extractives, muscle & glandular
organs, brain, legumes, fruits, vegetables & grains.

OTHER VITAMIN-LIKE FACTORS

TAURINE:
*Functions-component of bile acids
- regulator of heartbeat
- maintains membrane stabilization & is active in all tissues with
electrophysical potential
- depressor effect on brain neurons.
- serves as a protective role within cell plexes which prevent free
radical formation and prevent possible membrane peroxidation
- important for optimal retinal development & function.
*Food sources: fish oils and meats (30-170mgs/3 oz.) & now in infant
formulas.

LIPOIC ACID
-sulfur-containing fatty acid and not a true vitamin
-a coenzyme factor, together with TPP, for energy metabolism
converting pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA.
-found in yeast and liver.
UBIQUINONE
-also called coenzyme Q, a lipid related to Vitamin K.
-acts as a coenzyme factor in cellular respiration and energy
metabolism.
BIOFLAVONOIDS
-sometimes called VITAMIN P
-shown to inhibit aldose reductase, an enzyme involved in the
formation of cataract in DM.
-decrease bleeding associated with capillary fragility