Vitamins

An introduction
Definition
n Vitamins are organic nutrients required in small
quantities for normal health.
n They are distinct from the major nutrients CHO,
proteins and lipids.
n Mostly they are essential.
n Daily requirements in micro- to milligrams (μg to
mg).
n Deficiency usually produces disease
n Some of them are TOXIC if taken in excess.
 Water-soluble Vs fat-soluble
vitamins
• Some vitamins can easily be extracted in
aqueous media and so they are known as
water-soluble vitamins.
• These include the B group and vitamin C
• Others are soluble in non-polar organic
solvents and are known as fat-soluble
vitamins
• These include vitamins A, D, E and K
 The water-soluble vitamins
(The B group and C)
• The B group includes the following:
• B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, biotin, pantothenic
acid and folic acid.
• Then vitamin C
• All of these vitamins have active forms that
function as coenzymes.
• Except for vitamin B12 all of the water-
soluble vitamins are not stored in our
body.
 Functions
• Coenzymes that transfer hydrogen
• Function with enzymes such as
dehydrogenases
• Examples include: NAD, NADP, FMN and
FAD
• Transfer of other groups:
• CoA transfers acyl groups
• TPP transfers aldehyde groups
• Biotin – CO2
• B6 – amino groups
 WATER-
SOLUBLE
VITAMINS
 Properties of Water soluble
Vitamins
• Soluble in water
• No carrier is needed in blood
• Not stored, excess is excreted in urine
(exception is B12- stored in liver)
• Lost when heated strongly
• Function as coenzymes
• Vitamins are precursors of coenzymes
 Where are B vitamins found?

The B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods, such

as bread, cereals, milk, meat.
B Vitamins are

B1
B2
B3
(B5) Pantothenic acid
B6
(B7) Biotin
(B9) Folic acid
B12
 Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
Properties
• Requirement
RDA
increases with 1.0 - 1.5 mg per
carbohydrate in diet day
 Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
Sources
Whole-grains
Meat
Liver
Milk
Eggs
Vegetables
 Functions of Thiamin
• Coenzyme that helps in the release
of energy from carbohydrates

• Needed for normal functioning of

nervous system
 Active form of Thiamin
q Thiamin must be phosphorylated to
active form inside cells- thiamin
pyrophosphate (TPP).
 Who are at Risk For
Deficiency?
• The poor
• Alcoholics
• The elderly
• Those who eat polished grains
 Deficiency of Vitamin B1
1. Beri-Beri ;disease
of nervous system
Occurs where polished
rice is the main
food
• Dry beriberi
– Muscle wasting
• Wet beriberi
– Edema, enlarged
heart, heart failure
 Deficiency of Vitamin B1
• 2.Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome disease of nervous
system in alcoholics
 Summary
Name Active form Function Deficiency Remarks

Thiamin Thiamin Energy Beriberi Deficiency

pyrophosphate production Wernicke- due to use of
(TPP) (mainly from Korsakoff’s polished
CHO) syndrome grains or
alcohol
consumption
 Vitamin B2 -Riboflavin

Properties RDA
• Light sensitive
1 - 1.5 mg
per day
Sources of Vitamin B2 -Riboflavin

Sources
Milk products
Whole grains
Liver
Eggs
Green Vegetables
 Functions of Riboflavin
• Coenzyme that helps release
energy from carbohydrates,
proteins and fats
• Growth, repair, development of body
tissues - healthy skin, eyes and tongue
 Active forms of Riboflavin
• Active forms are:
– Flavin mononucleotide (FMN)
– Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)
• They work as coenzymes in
oxidation-reduction reactions.
 Riboflavin Deficiency
• Glossitis: inflammation of the tongue
• Angular stomatitis: ulceration and
cracking of the angles of the mouth.
• Photophobia: red, itchy eyes that are
sensitive to light
• Seborrhea :oily, scaly skin rashes
Sources of Vitamin B3 -Niacin

Sources
Meat, chicken, fish
Legumes
Whole grains
Yeast
 Functions of Niacin - B3

– Coenzyme that helps

body to produce energy
from carbohydrates,
fats and proteins.
• Needed for normal
functioning of nervous
system
 Active form of niacin
• Active forms are:
-Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
(NAD)
-Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate (NADP)
NAD and NADP play a role in
oxidation-reduction reactions
 Niacin deficiency
• Pellagra
• Symptoms are 3Ds
– Diarrhea
– Dermatitis
– Dementia and
– May be Death
Pantothenic acid

*RDA

5mg/day
 Pantothenic acid

Sources
– Found in most
foods
 Active forms of Pantothenic
Acid

• Coenzyme-A
• ACP (acyl carrier protein)
 Pantothenic Acid

• Coenzyme A helps to release energy

from proteins, fat, and
carbohydrates.
• ACP helps in fat synthesis
Deficiency of pantothenic acid

Deficiency rare,

• Burning foot syndrome

 Vitamin B6 -Pyridoxine

RDA
Properties
– Excess toxic > 200 2mg per
mg/day - damages day
nerves
 Vitamin B6 -Pyridoxine
Sources
Meat, chicken, fish
Eggs
Nuts
Legumes
Vegetables
bananas
 Active form of pyridoxine
• Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)
 Functions of pyridoxine
Coenzyme in many reactions involving
amino acids:
– Amino acid synthesis and catabolism
– Synthesis of heme
– Synthesis of neurotransmitters
– Synthesis of vitamin B3
And glucose:
– Release of glucose from glycogen
 Pyridoxine Deficiency

a. Nerve damage causing numbness,

muscle weakness, convulsions
b. May lead to pellagra
c. Microcytic anemia (small cell type)
d. Dermatitis
Biotin

RDA
30 µg/day
 Biotin

Sources
• Found in most foods
• Can be produced by
intestinal bacteria
 Functions of Biotin

As a coenzyme in carboxylation
reactions ( addition of CO2)
– Helps body to produce fats and
glucose.
 Biotin Deficiency
Deficiency: rare
may occur
1. with prolonged antibiotic therapy
2. ingestion of raw eggs-avidin, a
protein found in raw eggs binds biotin
(prevents absorption).
– More than a dozen raw egg whites a
day to cause this effect
Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency

– Depression, hallucinations,
tingling sensation in the arms
and legs
– dermatitis
– Hair loss
 Folic Acid
RDA
Properties 300 µg per day

• Sensitive to light, 400 µg during

pregnancy
oxidation and heat
Important to take
folic acid prior to
conception and vital
during first 3 months
pregnancy
 Folic Acid

Sources
• Green leafy vegetables
• Yeast
• Liver
• Legumes
• oranges
 Active forms
Part of coenzyme
– THF (tetrahydrofolate)
 Functions of Folic Acid
Coenzyme for
• synthesis of nucleic acid

• Red blood cell formation

• Development of brain, spinal cord and
skeleton in fetus
 Deficiency of folic acid
• Megaloblastic anemia
• Neural tube defects
 Megaloblastic Anemia

• It occurs when
blood cells are
unable to divide,
leaving fewer, large,
immature RBCs
• Either a folate or
vitamin B-12
deficiency may
cause this condition
 Vitamin B12 - { Cobalamin}
RDA
Properties
3-4 µg per
• B-12 stored in the liver day
• Affected by light
 Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin
Sources
liver
Meat, chicken, fish
eggs
cheese
No B12 in plant foods
- Vegans,
vegetarians risk of
deficiency
 Functions of Cobalamin
Coenzyme for
• Nucleic acid synthesis
• Red blood cell formation
• Myelin sheath formation
• Activates folic acid
Digestion, Absorption, & Storage
of Cobalamin
• Intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein secreted
by the stomach, is needed for the
absorption of B12 in the ileum.
 Deficiency
• Megaloblastic anemia = inadequate
intake of B12 and folic acid.
• Pernicious anaemia = inadequate
intrinsic factor).
• Nerve degeneration and paralysis
 Vitamin C -Ascorbic Acid

Properties RDA

• Sensitive to heat, 40-60 mg per day

light and oxygen Requirement
increases with
Because of that we stress
need it fresh.
Least stable of
all vitamins
 Vitamin C -Ascorbic Acid

Sources
• Fresh fruits,
• Fresh vegetables
 FUNCTIONS

q Collagen synthesis {skin, blood vessels

and bone}
qHealthy gums
qHelps body absorb iron from food
q Protects from infection
q Antioxidant {like vitamins E,A}
 Vitamin C deficiency
Scurvy
ØWeakening of connective tissue –leading to
ØBleeding
ØHair & teeth loss
Ø Anemia (decreases Fe absorption)
ØSusceptibility to infection