PathoPharm I - Vitamins and Electrolytes

Vitamin A

Food Sources: Dark yellow/orange fruits and vegetables (carrots, yams), egg yolks, butter cream

Function: VISION HEALTH, tissue strength and growth, embryonic development

Signs of Deficiency: NIGHT BLINDNESS

Signs of Excess: Teratogenic effects on fetus (fetus death), hair loss

Fat-soluble

Vitamin D

Food Sources: Sunshine, fatty fish, eggs

Function: Regulates calcium and phosphorus

Signs of Deficiency: Muscle twitching, tetany, tremors (SIMILAR TO HYPOCALCEMIA)

• Rickets in Children, Osteomalacia in Adults

Signs of Excess: Excess thirst, bone pain, muscle weakness (SIMILAR TO HYPERCALCEMIA)

Fat-soluble

Vitamin E

Food Sources: Nuts, oils

Function: Antioxidant properties

Signs of Deficiency: Breakdown of RBCs

Signs of Excess: Fatigue, weakness, GI upset

Fat-soluble

Vitamin K

Food Sources: DGLV, carrots, fish, eggs

Function: Blood clotting, bone maintenance

Signs of Deficiency: Spontaneous hemorrhaging

Signs of Excess: Clotting

Fat-soluble

Vitamin C

Food Sources: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), green leafy vegetables, strawberries

Function: Wound healing, boosting immune system function, iron absorption

Signs of Deficiency: SCURVY, poor wound healing, bleeding gums

Signs of Excess: GI upset

Water-soluble

Thiamin (B1)

Food Sources: Meats, whole grains, legumes

Function: Promotes appetite, muscle energy, metabolism

Signs of Deficiency: BERIBERI (muscle weakness, tingling), weight loss, fatigue

Water-soluble

Niacin (B3)

Food Sources: Meats, legumes, milk and whole grains

Function: Metabolism of fats, glucose, and alcohol, synthesizes fatty acids and cholesterols

Signs of Deficiency: PELLAGRA (dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea)

Water-soluble

Pyridoxine (B6)

Food Sources: Meat, whole grains, legumes

Function: Cellular function and synthesis of B3, synthesis of hemoglobin and neurotransmitters

Signs of Deficiency: Macrocytic anemia, CNS/PNS disturbances

Signs of Excess: Neuropathy (nerve damage)

Water-soluble

Folic Acid (B9)

Food Sources: Dark green leafy vegetables, yellow fruits, organ meats

Function: Erythropoiesis (RBC, WBC, and platelets)

Signs of Deficiency: NEURAL TUBE DEFECT

Signs of Excess: Can lower phenytoin levels

Water-soluble

Cobalamin (B12)

Food Sources: Meats, fish, dairy ***Sunflower Margarine for vegans

Function: RBC formation and maturation and nervous system function

Signs of Deficiency: PERNICIOUS ANEMIA, BEEFY RED TONGUE (because of lack of intrinsic factor production from stomach)

Water-soluble

Potassium (K+)

Normal levels: 3.5-5 mEq/L

Food sources: Bananas, oranges, dried fruits

Function: Maintains fluid volume inside cells, muscle action

Deficiency: Dysrhythmias, muscle cramps

Excess: Dysrhythmias, muscle weakness

Sodium (Na+)

Normal levels: 136-145 mEq/L

Food sources: Table salt

Function: Maintains fluid volume, muscle contractions, nerve impulses

Deficiency: Muscle cramping, memory loss

Excess: Fluid retention, hypertension

***Chloride mirrors sodium

Calcium (Ca+)

Normal levels: 9.0-10.5 mg/dL

Food sources: Dairy, broccoli, kale

Function: Bone/teeth formation, blood pressure, nerve transmission

Deficiency: Tetany, positive Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs

Excess: Weakness

***Vitamin D mirrors Calcium

Phosphorus inverse relationship with Calcium

Magnesium (Mg+)

Normal levels:1.3-2.1 mEq/L

Food sources: Green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, tuna, halibut

Function: Nerve/muscle function, smooth muscle relaxation

Deficiency: Increased blood pressure, weakness, dysrhythmias, convulsion

Excess: Diarrhea, nausea, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia

Iron

Normal levels: 60-170 mcg/dL

Food sources:

• Heme: meat, fish, and poultry

• Non-heme: Iron found in grains, legumes, vegetables

Function: Oxygen distribution to hemoglobin, transfer of oxygen from lungs to tissues

Deficiency: Palor, cold hands and feet, tired or weak

Excess: Joint pain

Iodine

Normal levels: 150 mcg

Food sources: Seafood/shellfish

Function: synthesis of thyroxine (thyroid metabolism hormone)

Deficiency: Enlarged thyroid gland

Excess: Thyrotoxicosis

Water

Normal levels: 1.5 liters (2-3 recommended)