Vitamin-A

The chemical name of Vitamin A is Retinol.

It is also called as Antixeropthalmic Vitamin

Sources - It is readily available in foods of Liver, eggs,

butter, whole milk, fish, meat, oils extracted from fishes
such as cod liver oil and shark liver oil.
In plants vitamin ‘A’ is present in the form of a

carotene. In green leafy vegetable (Spinach etc.,) other

vegetable like carrots, tomato, pumpkin, fruits like
papaya and mango and its converted into vitamin ‘A’ in
our body.
Vision: George Wald first elucidated Vitamin A function in VISION. George
Wald received Nobel prize for this work in 1967.
RODS AND CONES: Rods are involved in Dim light vision and Cones are
involved in Bright light vision.
Recommended Dietary Allowance: 3000 IU to 5000 IU. Or 700-900mcg.
Deficiency of vitamin A:

Deficiency leads to a variety of disorders of the eyes and

This affect the vision, some of the disorders are:
1.Night blindness: The person cannot see the objects in dim light
and in nights. Difficulty to see in dim light.
2. Xeropthalmia (Dry eyes): The lacrimal glands in the eyes produce tears. The
conjunctiva (or) the outer most layer of the eye becomes dry.
3. Skin become scaly, rough and is covered with papillae (Small eruptions).
The skin looks like that of a toad.

4. Reproductive functions may also be effected in vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.

5. Growth retardation.

6. Keratinization -rough & dry skin, increased bacterial infection.

7. Keratomalacia followed by blindness. The cornea becomes soft and burst

open. This leads to the loss of vision and permanent blindness - the major
cause of blindness in children.
 Vitamin-‘D’
 The chemical name of vitamin ‘D’ is Calciferol

Function
It helps in the absorption of Ca & P by the intestine and its deposition on the
bones.The rich source of Vitamin ‘D’ is sun light and sun light has the capacity to
convert cholesterol in our body into Vitamin ‘D’.
Deficiency : Of vitamin ‘D’ leads to bone deformities such as Rickets. (bent bones
and knock knees).
Doses:
1 IU = 0.025 mcg
RDA is 600 IU or 15 mcg
Sources -
Vitamin ‘D’ present in foods of animal origin such as liver, egg
yolk, butter, oils extracted from the livers of fishes such as cod or
shark.

It is formed in the skin from a cholesterol derivative by the action of

Ultra Violet rays of sunlight.

Calcifidiol Calcitriol
24- hydroxy 1,24- dihydroxy
cholecalcifidiol cholecalcitriol
 The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal
blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
 Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and
maintain strong bones. Recent research also suggests that
sufficient intake of this fat-soluble vitamin may provide protection
from and decrease an individual’s risk of developing osteoporosis,
hypertension, cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.
 Studies report that it triggers the body’s immune cells to produce
antibodies; therefore, vitamin D promotes an overall increase in
the strength of the immune system. To date, more than 500
studies support the role of vitamin D in immune health.
 Results from some studies report that vitamin D assists in the
maintenance of joint and muscle comfort, as well as the
maintenance of a healthy mood, and supports breast, colon health
 Many multivitamins formulated for women have increased
amounts of vitamin D to at least 800 IU.
 VITAMIN-E
 Vitamin-E is also called as Tocoferol Vitamin.
 Naturally occurring Antioxidant.

 Required for normal Reproduction Processes in animals.

Doses: RDA=15mg =22.4 IU

Biochemical Functions:
1. Membrane antioxidant
2. Provides peroxidation of Poly Unsaturated Fatty acids.
3. Protects RBCs from Hemolysis by oxidizing agents (e.g. H2O2).
4. It is required for cellular respiration.
5. It is required for proper storage of creatine in skeletal muscle.
6. It increases the synthesis of heme by enhancing the activity of
enzyme δ-Amino Levulinic acid (ALA) synthase & dehydratase.
Chromanol ring
 VITAMIN-K
 Vitamin K is also known as Anti coagulation
Vitamin.
 Essential to produce blood clotting factor.

 Sources: It is present in green leafy vegetables and in

cow milk, in man this vitamin is synthesized by the
bacteria present in the intestines.

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency results in long time

for the blood to clot and loss of more blood from
injuries.
 Hypervitaminosis K: Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice
 Water soluble vitamins
 Vitamin B Complex is group of Vitamins.
 It contains –
 a) Thiamine – B1
 b) Riboflavin – B2
 c) Niacin - B3
 d) Pantothenic acid-B5
 e) Pyridoxine – B6
 f) Biotin-B7
 g) Folic acid-B9
 h) Cyanocobalamin – B12
 Vitamin B1
 Thiamine, Anti Neuritic, Aneurine.
 Deficiency disease: Beri-Beri.

In this disease, the calf muscles become tender,

vomiting, tremors, convulsions, loss of appetite.
Uses
It is required for the activation of vitamin B6 and folic acid.
It helps in the production of ATPs
For the proper functioning of nervous system
It is widely involved in redox reaction.
It is required for the conversion of TRYPTOPHAN to niacin (vitamin B3)
It helps in digestion.

Deficiency: Specific symptoms of riboflavin deficiency include:

1.Glossitis
2. Angular Stomatitis (fissures at the corner of the mouth)
3. Photophobia, watering of eyes, Itching, Skin Rash
 Vitamin B3 (NIACIN)
 Functions: Niacin is essential for the metabolism of
carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency of niacin in diet result a
disease called Pellagra. The symptoms of pellagra are
diarrhea, dementia (loss of memory) patches on the body
when exposed to sunlight .

PYRIDINE 3-
CARBOXYLIC ACID
 Synonyms: Filtrate factor, Chick Antidermatitis Factor. Essential
component of Coenzyme A, a key element in aerobic energy
production. (Kreb’s cycle)

 Functions: It is used for energy release from the macronutrients &

for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
 Synthesis of fats, cholesterol & neurotransmitters.
 Formation of heme (needed for RBCs)

 Deficiency leads to burning sensation & skin diseases.

 BURNING FEET SYNDROME
Pantoic acid β Alanine
 PYRIDOXINE (B6)
 Also called Adermin
 Functions: Pyridoxine plays an important role in the

metabolism of amino acids.

 Immune supporter

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency lead to hyper irritability,

anemia, nausea and in children it leads to convulsions.

Biotin is one among the ‘B’ complex vitamins.
Also known as Vit : H

 Functions: It is required for metabolic processes.

 It functions as the Co-enzyme for the enzyme called
Carboxylase which catalyze CO2 Fixation

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency leads to muscle

pains, fatigue, disorders in the nervous system and
mental depression.
 Folic Acid (Vit:b9)
 Synonyms: Vitamin M, Liver.
 Functions :
 Folic acid is required for the synthesis of nucleic acids

(DNA and RNA).

 It is also required for the development of blood cells in

the bone marrow.

 Deficiency Symptoms: Its deficiency causes anemia,

diarrhoea and decrease in the number of leucocytes.

 Cell division in tissues such as intestinal mucosa is

affected in folic acid deficiency.

 NEURAL DEFECTS IN THE FETUS
 Cyanocobalamin (Vit:B12)
 Functions: It plays an important role in the metabolism of

nucleic acid for protein synthesis.

 Sources :
 Bacteria present in the intestine synthesize this vitamin and supply to
our body.
 Liver is the main site of storage of vitamin B12
 Deficiency diseases : Deficiency of this vitamin causes
pernicious anemia
 Vitamin C
It is also called as Ascorbic Acid
Sources: Vitamin C is present in fresh fruits, green leafy
vegetables, tomatoes.
 Citrus fruit and Indian gooseberry are the richest source of this

vitamin.
 Guava is another cheap and rich source of Vitamin C.

Functions

Vitamin C plays an important role in tissue oxidation reactions.

It is required for the formation of collagen which is required for
the formation of blood vessels, connective tissue, cartilage and
dentine of teeth.
Vitamin C also helps in the absorption and storage of iron.
This Vitamin is also required for normal growth, tissue repair,
healing of wounds and fracture of bone.
 Deficiency disease - SCURVY:
Scurvy is the nutritional disorder caused due to the deficiency of Vitamin ‘C’.
The symptoms of this disease are swelling of gums, bleeding from gums,
joints and under the skin.