Vitamins

Vitamin is an organic non-protein substance that is required by an organism for normal metabolic function but cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantity by that organism. In other words, vitamins are crucial molecules that must be acquired from outside sources. While most vitamins are present in food, vitamin D for example, is produced as a precursor in our skin and converted to the active form by sunlight.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each “vitamin” refers to a number of vitamer compounds that all show the biological activity associated with a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals is grouped under an alphabetized vitamin “generic descriptor” title, such as “Vitamin A”, which includes the compounds retinal, retinol, and four known carotenoids.

Important Facts on Vitamins

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Vitamin A is required in the production of rhodopsin, the visual pigment used in low light levels. This is why eating foods rich in vitamin A is often said to allow an individual to see in the dark, although the effect they have on one’s vision is negligible.

Vitamin A is also essential for the correct functioning of epithelial cells. In vitamin A deficiency, mucus-secreting cells are replaced by keratin producing cells, leading to xerosis.

Vitamin B (Thiamine)

Vitamine B (Thiamine) deficiency produces beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and optic neuropathy.

Beriberi is a neurological and cardiovascular disease. The three major forms of the disorder are dry beriberi, wet beriberi, and infantile beriberi. Dry beriberi is characterized principally by muscular dysfunctions, while Wet beriberi is associated with mental confusion, muscular atrophy, edema. Infantile beriberi occurs in infants breast-fed by thiamin-deficient mothers.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Ascorbic acid is found in plants and animals where it is produced from glucose.  Humans are unable to make ascorbic acid. This Vitamin is also an antioxidant and antioxidant properties of ascorbic acid are only a small part of its effective vitamin activity.

Vitamin D (Calciferol)

Calciferol is not actually an essential dietary vitamin in the strict sense, as it can be synthesized in adequate amounts by most mammals exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Vitamin E is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols. Because the vitamin activity was first identified in 1936 from a dietary fertility factor in rats, it was given the name “tocopherol” or birth carrying vitamin.

There are eight forms of Vitamin E. In general, food sources with the highest concentrations of vitamin E are vegetable oils, followed by nuts and seeds including whole grains. The highest sources of Tocoferol are Wheat germ oil (215.4 mg), Sunflower oil (55.8 mg), Almond oil (39.2 mg), Sunflower seed (35.17 mg) and Almond (26.2 mg).

Vitamin E deficiency causes neurological problems due to poor nerve conduction. It has been linked to Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E is widely used as an inexpensive antioxidant in cosmetics and foods. Vitamin E containing products are commonly used in the belief that vitamin E is good for the skin; many cosmetics include it. The function is mainly associated with Vitamin E being a powerful antioxidant. It also plays important role in skin health.

Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)

Phylloquinone is an electron acceptor during photosynthesis. Its best-known function in animals is as a cofactor in the formation of coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X by the liver.  It found in highest amounts in green leafy vegetables because it is directly involved in photosynthesis. It may be thought of as the “plant form” of vitamin K.

Vitamin K2 (menaquinone)

It may be thought of as the “animal form” of vitamin K. Bacteria in the colon (large intestine) can also convert K1 into vitamin K2.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)

Animals require pantothenic acid to synthesize coenzyme-A (CoA), as well as to synthesize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin is a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes, involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, isoleucine, and valine, and in gluconeogenesis. It is also known as Vitamin H. Biotin deficiency is rare and mild, and can be addressed with supplementation.

It is caused by the consumption of raw egg whites (two or more daily for several months) due the avidin they contain, a protein which binds extremely strongly with biotin, making it unavailable. The defecinecy causes hairloss and skin problems mainly.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Pyridoxine assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well as promoting red blood cell production. It is linked to cardiovascular health by decreasing the formation of homocysteine.

Pyridoxine may help balance hormonal changes in women and aid the immune system. Lack of pyridoxine may cause anemia, nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

It is also known as nicotinic acid and vitamin PP. Niacin is used to increase levels of HDL in the blood and has been found to modestly decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in a number of controlled human trials.

Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)

Also known as Vitamin M and Folate, Vitamin B9 is essential to numerous bodily functions. The human body needs folate in DNA synthesis and repair. It is also important in cell division and growth during pregnancy. Children and adults both require folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anaemia. Deficiency can result in many health problems, the most notable one being neural tube defects in developing embryos.

Pandemic deficiency diseases

Deficiency diseases of five vitamins are called Pandemic deficiency diseases. These include:

Niacin Deficiency (Pellagra)

Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)

Thiamine Deficiency (Beriberi)

Vitamin D Deficiency (Rickets)

Vitamin A Deficiency (Night Blindness)