Chapter 7 Vitamins

Nutrition HO-15

Vitamins

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Water Soluble – Vitamin C & B

Fat Soluble – Vitamin A, D, E & K

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Vitamins

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• Dissolve in water• Easily absorbed and transported• Not stored in significant quantities• Rarely toxic from food sources

Water Soluble – Vitamin C & B

• Do not dissolve in water• Need fat to be absorbed• Stored extensively• Can reach toxic levels

Fat Soluble – Vitamin A, D, E & K

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Fat Soluble

Vitamin A

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin K

Vitamin A Functions

Vision

• body linings and skin• For growth of bones and teeth

Growth and maintenance

Immune defenses

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vision - > night blindness

Growth and maintenance -> keratinization

Immune defenses - > decreased immunity

Beta-carotene

Pigment in plants

Antioxidant

Precursor to Vitamin A

Converted to Vitamin A

Not absorbed at a high rate

Retinol Activity Equivalent

Accounts for retinol (better absorbed/more active)

Accounts for provitamin A carotenoids (less absorbed/less active)

Differs from International Units (IU)

Sources

• Animal foods: beef liver

Retinol: yellow fat soluble substance

• Plant sources: sweet potato, cantaloupe, red pepper

Provitamin A carotenoids

Vitamin E Antioxidant: quenches free radicals

protects cellular

structures from oxidative

damage

Role of Vitamin D in the body?

Regulation of blood calcium

Regulation of phosphorus

Raises blood calcium levels

Vitamin D Deficiency

Softening of Bones

Rickets

Vitamin D Deficiency

CVD CA Cognitive Asthma DM MS HTN

Vitamin D Sources

Sunshine!

Seafood

Fortified milk

Egg yolk

Mushrooms

Vitamin K

K1: Synthesis of blood clotting proteins

K2: Synthesis of bone proteins

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is synthesized by bacteria in the intestines

Vitamin K is given at birth because the intestines are sterile.

The goal is to prevent bleeding in Vitamin K deficient newborns

The Gatekeeper and the Traffic Cop

Vitamin D: Gatekeeper

Vitamin K: Traffic Cop

Vitamin C

Maintenance of connective tissues• Formation of collagen

Cofactor in the production of carnitine

Antioxidant

Restores Vitamin E to it’s active form

Supports the immune system

Boosts Iron absorption

Vitamin C Deficiency

Scurvy

Breakdown of connective tissue

Vitamin C

Does not prevent colds

Vitamin C reduces histamine

B-Vitamins

Work together

Part of coenzymes

Energy metabolism

New cell synthesis

Thiamin deficiency results in what condition?

Beriberi (affects nerves)

Loss of sensation in hands and feet

muscular weakness

advancing paralysis

What condition develops in Niacin deficiency?

Pellagra

Diarrhea

Dermatitis

Dementia

Death

Neural tube defects

Fortification of food is important - Most women don’t know they are pregnant for weeks

Folate Deficiency

B12 Deficiency

Pernicious anemia

Malabsorption

Elderly

Vegans

Who is at risk for Pernicious anemia?

Vitamin B12 is only found in animal sources

Elderly - most at risk

Strict Vegetarians

THE END