Emergence of Vitamins
100 years ago
Accessory food factors
Vitamin (Casimir Funk (1912)
Vita: Essential 4 life
Amine: contain nitrogen
Vitamins (1970)
not classified into groups
classified according to biological function in body
based on physical-chemical properties
water-soluble
fat-soluble
Vitamins
potent organic compounds → unrelated chemical composition
minute quantities
small amounts →specific regulatory functions
Vitamins provide Energy
ingested preformed
Organic Compounds
All Vitamins contain C,H,O in chemical composition
Water-soluble vitamins
NITROGEN in chemical composition
Vitamins vs. Proteins
Nitrogen in Vitamins - not occur as building units of proteins
Vitamins vs. Minerals
All Vitamins are ORGANIC
All Minerals are INORGANIC
Potent Minute Quantities
very small concentrations of vit. → maintain life / normal growth.
Potent Minute Quantities
micronutrients
Potent Minute Quantities (Measurement)
MICROGRAMS (mcg – one millionth of a gram)
MILLIGRAM (mg- one thousand of a gram)
Dietary Essentials
Distinguishes Vitamins from hormones
PRE-CURSORS/PROVITAMINS
changed into active vitamins
PRE-CURSORS/PROVITAMINS (ex.)
✓ Carotene & Cryptoxanthin -> Vitamin A
✓ Ergosterol -> Vitamin D
✓ Tryptophan -> Niacin
PREFORMED VITAMINS
Naturally-occurring in active form, ready for biological role
AVITAMINOSIS (condition)
lack of vitamin in body
nutritional deficiency disease is recognizable
HYPERVITAMINOSIS (Vitamin Toxicity)
excessive accumulation of vitamin A
chronic intake of vitamin more than recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
VITAMIN MALNUTRITION
too much / too little - not good 4 health
VITAMIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS
physiological roles like vitamins
present in larger amounts
partially synthesized in body
Ex. Choline: as essential with B-vitamins
ANTI-VITAMINS / VITAMIN ANTAGONISTS
interfere w/ normal functioning of a Vitamin
Ex:
dicumarol against Vitamin K
avidin against biotin
thiaminase against thiamin or B2
SYNTHETIC VITAMINS (Man-made)
experimental/therapeutic purposes
VITAMERS
Multiple forms of a Vitamin
Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K)
pro-vitamins
deficiencies are slow
needed daily from food sources
stable in ordinary cooking methods
VITAMIN A
Promotes vision; light & color; Visual purple (rhodopsia)
Promotes growth, reproduction, immunity
Prevents drying of skin & eyes
Promotes resistance to bacterial infection
Possible aid in treating cancer patients.
VITAMIN A (malnutrition)
Deficiency
Night blindness
Xeropthalmia
Poor Growth
Dry Skin
Toxic
Fetal malformations
Hair loss
Skin changes
Pain in bones (beyond 3000 RE per day
VITAMIN A (dietary allowance)
mcg (microgram) RE (recommended energy)
Male: 19 years n over: 550 mcg RE
Female: 19 years n over: 500 mcg RE
VITAMIN A (excess intake) Hypervitaminosis A
carotenemia - yellow skin discoloration
bone fragility / painful swellings
Dry, itching skin, coarse sparse hair •
Nausea, Headache, Irritability
VITAMIN A sources
Liver • Butter • Fortified milk • Fortified Margarine • Carrots • Greens • Broccoli • Sweet potatoes • Spinach • Papaya • Cantaloupe • Apricots
Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, and Cancer
low risk lung cancer
^ beta-carotene → 46% die lung cancer
smokers + beta caro = lung cancer
beta-carotene rarely advisable
VITAMIN D
Facilitates absorption of calcium & phosphorus
optimal calcification of bones
VITAMIN D (forms)
calciferol - fish oils and eggyolk, added to margarine and milk
cholecalciferol - sunlight hit skin; UV rays react w steroid
ergocalciferol - synthesized plants exposed to sunlight
VITAMIN D
require bile salts → absorbed store in liver
mainly absorb calcium n phosphorus
make cell membrane permeable
VITAMIN D
VDP “vitamin D binding protein” - target organs
pheromone; is not active
modified to yield biologically active forms, such as
Calcitriol - transcription factor
immune system function
VITAMIN D deficiency
rickets, bone loss, osteomalacia
Toxic
Growth Retardation • Kidney damage • Deposits in soft tissue • Toxicity beyond 2000 IU/day
VITAMIN D (RDA)
100-400 IU
Infants, children, adolescents: 5 mcg
Adults:
– Male & Female (19-49 yrs.): 10 mcg
– Male & Female (50-64 yrs.): 15 mcg
VITAMIN D sources
Vitamin D fortified milk • Fortified margarine • Fish oils • Sardines • Salmon
VITAMIN E
Act as an anti-oxidant
Prevent breakdown of Vitamin A, Vitamin K and unsaturated fatty acids
VITAMIN E
Retard spoilage in commercial products
Preserve the integrity of RBC walls
Protect muscle tissue from degeneration
Protect unsaturated fatty acids from oxidative breakdown
antioxidant, protects tissues/membrane against damage of oxidation.
normal functioning of the immune system
Controls blood platelet aggregation during formation of blood clots
metabolism of nucleic acids and proteins
mitochondria function and production of different hormones regulation
Protects vitamin A from oxidative damage
VITAMIN E deficiency
Hemolysis of red blood cells • Nerve destruction
Muscle weakness • Headaches • Fatigue • Blood clots • Toxic beyond 1200 IU/day
VITAMIN E (RDA)
Muscle weakness, Headaches, Fatigue, Blood clots
Toxic beyond 1200 IU/day
more than rda - improves the immune system in the elderly
VITAMIN E sources
Vegetable oils • Some greens • Some fruits • Wheat germ • Peanuts • Olive Oil • Eggyolk • Liver • Butter • Milk
VITAMIN K
Help form prothrombin & other factors for blood clotting & bone formation
VITAMIN K
Important for the synthesis blood-clotting protein
regulate normal clotting of blood
Increases calcium absorption
Maintains strong healthy bones
VITAMIN K deficiency
Hemorrhage
Anemia & Jaundice (for medicinal forms only)
VITAMIN K sources
soybean oil, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, liver, cauliflower, tomatoes and egg yolk.
VITAMIN K (RDA)
Average mixed diets - normal vitamin K intake
Normal dose: 1-2 mg for prophylaxis
Male adults (19 years & older): 59 mcg
Female adults (19 years & older): 51 mcg