VITAMINS

 Vitamin, any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for
normal health and growth.
 Vitamins are distinct in several ways from other biologically important compounds such
as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
 Indispensable for proper bodily functions.
 Vitamins, must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source.
 vitamins are called essential nutrients.
 Functions are of a catalytic or regulatory nature, facilitating or controlling vital chemical
reactions in the body’s cells.
 If a vitamin is absent from the diet or is not properly absorbed by the body, a specific
deficiency disease may develop.
 Vitamin A is found in Dairy products
 Deficiency of Vitamin A causes Night blindness
 Vitamin A is stored as Ester in liver
 Water soluble vitamin are B and C and all other are fat soluble
 Vitamin B1 is available is yeast.
 Vitamin capable of formation of blood is B12
 Vitamin B2 has what other name Riboflavin
 Vitamin B helps maintain normal appetite and good digestion
 Vitamin C hastens healing of wounds
 Vitamin C is a preventor of infectious disease
 Vitamin C is also called Skin food
 Scury, arising due to deficiency of vitamin C, it is related to Gastro-intestinal disorder.
 Vitamin c is also known as Ascorbic Acid.
 Vitamin C not stored in human body
 Vitamin C is also called Ascorbic Acid it prevents scurvy
 Vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism.
 Riches source of Vitamin D is code liver oil
 Vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism.
 Vitamin E is for reproduction
 Vitamin E is called anti-aging agent
 Vitamin E helps in fertility process
 Vitamin E promotes oxygenation and acts as anti aging
 Vitamin K helps to form prothrobin (fibro gin) one of the enzymes helpful in blood clotting
 Collagen is the substance that gives elasticity to skin
 The lack of calcium in the diet causes what condition-Rickets
 Celluloses are carbohydrates.
 Milk contains lactose.
 Deficiency of Calcium leads to rickets
 Sodium is necessary of nervous system.
 Ground nut has maximum protein
 Hair, finger nails, hoofs, etc are all make of protein
 Deficiency of sodium and potassium causes muscular cramps, headache and diahrae
 Deficiency of Thiamine causes Beri Beri.
 Glucose is the source of energy for human brain.
 Three main food nutrients are carbohydrates, protein and fats. Other are vitamins and
minerals
Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also called retinol, a fat-soluble alcohol, most abundant in fatty fish and especially in fish-liver
oils. Vitamin A is also found in milk fat, eggs, and liver. Vitamin A is not present in plants.

Discovered-The existence of vitamin A was first clearly recognized in 1913, its chemical nature was
established in 1933, and it was first synthesized in 1947.

Daily Quantity - Vitamin A is required by humans in very small amounts; the recommended intakes for
adult men and women are 1,000 and 800 micrograms.

Function The vitamin, which functions directly in normal vision, integrity of epithelial cells (mucous
membranes and skin), reproduction, embryonic development, sperm formation growth, immune response

Deficiency-Ocular disturbances leading to blindness, growth retardation, dry skin, diarrhea, and
vulnerability to infection.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B refers to not one, but eight different vitamins. All B vitamins play a role in converting
food into energy in the body. Each vitamin also has a unique role in a person's health.

 Vitamin B-1 – thiamin

Thiamin, also spelled thiamine, also called vitamin B1, water-soluble organic compound that is
necessary for carbohydrate metabolism in both plants and animals.

Discovered- In 1926 thiamin was the first vitamin to be isolated in pure form. Its structure was fully
elucidated and the vitamin synthesized in 1936.

Function- It carries out these functions in its active form, as a component of the coenzyme in
carbohydrate metabolism; supports normal nerve function. Vitamin B-1 is vital to the healthy growth and
function of organs, including the brain and heart.

Deficiency- Thiamin deficiency results in beriberi, a disease characterized by multiple neuritis (lesions of
nerves), general debility, and heart failure.

 Vitamin B-2 – riboflavin

Riboflavin, also called vitamin B2, a yellow, water-soluble organic compound that occurs abundantly in
whey (the watery part of milk) and in egg white. An essential nutrient for animals.

Discovered- which was isolated in pure form in 1933 and was first synthesized in 1935.
Functions- The body needs vitamin B-2 to break down fats and drugs. Component of coenzymes
required for energy production and lipid, vitamin, mineral, and drug metabolism; antioxidant

Deficiency- Inflammation of the skin, tongue, and lips; ocular disturbances; nervous symptoms

 Vitamin B-3 – niacin

Niacin, also called nicotinic acid and vitamin B3, water-soluble vitamin of the B complex. The body
needs niacin to maintain healthy skin, nerves, and digestion. Doctors sometimes prescribe high doses of
niacin to help improve cholesterol levels.

Discovered- Niacin, which was identified as a pellagra preventive in 1937, is widely distributed among
plants and animals. Lean meat is generally a good source.

Daily Use- Approximately 15 mg per day (1 mg = 0.001 gram) of nicotinic acid is required by humans.

Function- Component of coenzymes used broadly in cellular metabolism, oxidation of fuel molecules,
and fatty acid and steroid synthesis

Deficiency- skin lesions, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms

 Vitamin B-5 – pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, water-soluble vitamin essential in animal metabolism. Vitamin
B-5 is essential for the health of the brain and nervous system. The vitamin is widespread in nature—
especially in yeasts, liver, kidney, eggs, whole grains, and legumes—though it does not exist in its free
form in animal tissue.

Discovered- It was first isolated from liver cells in 1938 and was first synthesized in 1940.

Function- as component of coenzyme A, essential for metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat;
cofactor for elongation of fatty acids

Deficiency- weakness, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms, fatigue, sleeps disturbances,

restlessness, and nausea.
Vitamin B-6 – pyridoxine

Vitamin B6, water-soluble organic compound that is an essential micronutrient for microorganisms and
animals. Vitamin B-6 helps the body make new red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
Vitamin B6 is widely distributed in foodstuffs and is particularly abundant in cereal grains, meats, nuts, and
some fruits and vegetables. It also helps keep the immune system strong.

Discovered- . Pyridoxine was first isolated in 1938 and synthesized in 1939. Pyridoxal and
pyridoxamine, which were discovered in the 1940s, are responsible for most of the vitamin B6 activity in
animal tissues.

Function- component of coenzymes in metabolism of amino acids and other nitrogen-containing

compounds; synthesis of hemoglobin, neurotransmitters; regulation of blood glucose levels.

Deficiency- dermatitis, mental depression, confusion, convulsions, anemia

Vitamin B-7 – biotin

Biotin, water-soluble, nitrogen-containing acid essential for growth and well-being in animals and some
microorganisms. it is widely distributed in nature and is especially abundant in egg yolk, beef liver, and
yeast.Biotin was first identified as a nutritive requirement of yeast. Originally called vitamin H,

Discovered- it was isolated in pure form in 1935; its structure was established in 1942, after it had been
shown to be required by animals.
Function-. It functions in the formation and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Biotin is essential for
healthy hair, nails, and nerve function. Cofactor in carbohydrate, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism

Deficiency- dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis, neurological symptoms

Vitamin B-9 – folic acid

Folic acid, also called pteroylglutamic acid, folate, or folacin, water-soluble vitamin of the B complex
that is essential in animals and plants for the synthesis of nucleic acids. The body uses folic acid —
or folate, its natural form — to make DNA and genetic material. During pregnancy, folic acid may reduce
the risk of certain birth defects. The vitamin has a wide variety of sources in the human diet, including
leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, cereals, beans, poultry, and egg yolks.
Discovered- Folic acid was isolated from liver cells in 1943.
.
Function- component of coenzymes in DNA synthesis, metabolism of amino acids; required for cell
division, maturation of red blood cells

Deficiency- A deficient intake of folic acid can impair the formation of red blood cells, resulting in folic
acid deficiency anemia impaired formation of red blood cells, weakness, irritability, headache, palpitations,
inflammation of mouth, neural tube defects in fetus.

Vitamin B-12 – cobalamin

Vitamin B12, a complex water-soluble organic compound that is essential to a number of microorganisms
and animals, including humans. Vitamin B12 aids in the development of red blood cells in higher animals.

Discovered- Vitamin B12 was first isolated in 1948 by American chemist Karl Folkers and British chemist
Baron Alexander Todd.

Function- cofactor for enzymes in metabolism of amino acids (including folic acid) and fatty acids;
required for new cell synthesis, normal blood formation, and neurological function

Deficiency- A deficiency of either compound leads to disordered production of DNA and, hence, to the
impaired production of red blood cells. smoothness of the tongue, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous
symptoms

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, water-soluble, carbohydrate-like substance that is involved in
certain metabolic processes of animals. Citrus fruits and fresh vegetables are the best dietary sources of
the vitamin.

Discovered- First isolated in 1928, vitamin C was identified as the curative agent for scurvy in 1932.

Daily Use- Relatively large amounts of vitamin C are required—for instance, an adult man is said to need
about 70 mg (1 mg = 0.001 gram) per day.

Function- antioxidant; synthesis of collagen, carnitine, amino acids, and hormones; immune function;
enhances absorption of non-heme iron (from plant foods)

Deficiency- swollen and bleeding gums, soreness and stiffness of the joints and lower extremities,
bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues, slow wound healing, anemia
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, any of a group of fat-soluble vitamins important in calcium metabolism in animals. It is formed
by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) of sterols present in the skin.

The term vitamin D refers to a family of compounds that are derived from cholesterol. There are two major
forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2, found in plants and better known as ergocalciferol (or calciferol), and
vitamin D3, found in animal tissues and often referred to as cholecalciferol

Daily Use- The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU (10 μg) for people 51 to 70 years old
and 600 IU (15 μg) for people over 70 years old.

Functions- Vitamin D may play a role in protecting against cancer, most notably against colorectal
cancer. Maintenance of blood calcium and phosphorus levels, proper mineralization of bones

Deficiency- Vitamin D deficiency was first described more than 300 years ago as a disorder
called rickets. defective bone growth in children, soft bones in adults.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound found principally in certain plant oils and the leaves of green
vegetables. Wheat-germ oil is a particularly rich source of the vitamin.

Discovered- first recognized in 1922, was first obtained in a pure form in 1936; it was identified
chemically in 1938.

Functions- antioxidant; interruption of free radical chain reactions; protection of polyunsaturated fatty
acids, cell membranes

Deficiency- peripheral neuropathy, breakdown of red blood cells

Vitamin K

Vitamin K, any of several fat-soluble naphthoquinone compounds. The bacteria produce the majority of
vitamin K that mammals require. A synthetic vitamin K precursor called menadione (vitamin K3) is used as
a vitamin supplement.

Discovered- First recognized in 1929, the vitamin was isolated and analyzed structurally in 1939 by
Danish biochemist Henrik Dam.

Functions - synthesis of proteins involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism

Deficiency- A deficiency of vitamin K in the body leads to an increase in clotting time of the blood.
impaired clotting of the blood and internal bleeding