VITAMINS

INTRODUCTION

           

         Vitamins are small organic compounds that cannot be synthesised by our body but are essential for certain functions.  The requirements of these compounds are not high, but their deficiency or excess can cause diseases. Each vitamin has a specific function in the living system, mostly as co enzymes. 

                The name Vitamin' is derived from 'vital amines, referring to the vitamins earlier identified amino compounds. Vitamins are essential for the normal growth and maintenance of our health.

CLASSIFICATION OF VITAMINS

          

                 Vitamins are classified into two groups based on their solubility either in water or in fat.  

Fat soluble vitamins:  

                 These vitamins absorbed best when taken with fatty food and are stored fatty tissues and livers. These vitamins do not dissolve in water. Hence they are called fat soluble vitamins. 

                   Vitamin A, D, E & K are fat-soluble vitamins. 

Water soluble vitamins:

                  Vitamins B (B, B B B B B B and B) and C are readily soluble in water. On the contrary to fat soluble vitamins, these can't be stored. The excess vitamins present will be excreted through urine and are not stored in our body. Hence, these two vitamins should be supplied regularly to our body. 

TYPES OF VITAMINS 

(1) Vitamin A (retinol)

       • sources - fish , carrot , milk

       • function - vision & growth

       • deficiency disease - night blindness , 

                                              Xerophthalmia.

(2) Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

        • sources - yeast, liver ,pork

        • function - Co-enzyme in the form of                                       Thiamine  pyro phosphate (                                   TPP) in glycolysis 

       • deficiency disease - beri beri

(3) Vitamin B2  (Riboflavin)

        • sources - soyabeans , milk

        • function - Co enzyme in the form of FMN                               and FAD in redox reaction

        • deficiency disease - Cheilosis.

(4) Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

         • sources - cereals , green vegetables

         • function - Co enzyme in the form NAD                                   and NADP in redox reactions.

         • deficiency disease - pellagra

(5) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)

         • sources - mushroom , avacado

         • function - Part of coenzyme A in

                             carbohydrate protein and Fat                                 metabolism

         • deficiency disease - inadequate growth

(6) Vitamin B6(Pyridoxine)

        • sources - milk , meat

        • function - Co enzyme in amino acid                                       metabolism, formation of                                       Heme in Hemoglobin

        • deficiency disease - convulsions

(7) Vitamin B7(Biotin)

        • sources - liver , milk

        • function - Co enzyme in fatty acid                                           biosynthesis

        • deficiency disease - Depression, Hair                                                       loss, muscle pain,

(8) Vitamin B9(Folic acid)

         • sources -  meat , milk

         • function - Nucleic acid synthesis.                                           maturation of red blood cells

         • deficiency disease - Megaloblastic                                                        anaemia

(9) Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

         • sources -  meat , fish

         • function - Co-enzyme in amino acid                                       metabolism, Red blood cells                                 maturation 

         • deficiency disease - Pernicious Anaemia

(10) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

           • source - orange , tomato

           • function - Coenzyme in Antioxidant,                                        building of collagen

           • deficiency disease - scurvy

(11) Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol(D3).                              Ergocalciferol (D2)

            • sources - milk , egg yogurt 

           • function - Absorption and maintenance                                 of calcium

           • deficiency disease - rickets

(12) Vitamin E (Tocopherols)

           • source - vegetable oil

           • function - antioxidant

           • deficiency disease - muscular                                                                    dystrophy

(13) Vitamin K (Phylloquinone& Menaquinones)

            • source -  tomato

            • function - Blood clotting

            • deficiency disease - Increased blood                                                    clotting time,                                                   Haemorrhagic diseases