Vitamins

§ “Vita” – life , + amine

What are vitamins ?
§ are organic compound, essential in small amounts for the
proper functioning of the human body, that must be
obtained from dietary sources because the body cannot
synthesize it.

Supplements, what are they?

• synthetic or natural substances which
can be purchased as pills, tablets,
capsules, wafers, powders, or liquids.
 Classification of Vitamins

B complex
WATER
SOLUBLE
C
VITAMINS
FAT
A,D,E,K
SOLUBLE
Functions
• Regulate metabolism
• Help convert energy in fat, carbohydrate,
and protein into ATP
• Promote growth and reproduction
 What are antioxidants?
§ Substances or compounds that fight off or neutralizes
free-radicals, helping to counteract the oxidation that
takes place in cells or in our bodies.
§ Includes
§ Vitamins E
§ Vitamins C
§ Selenium
§ Flavonoids
§ Carotenoids
What are free radicals?
• Are compounds
within our bodies
that may lead to
chronic disease
and/or are
involved in cell
tissue damage.
 Classification of Vitamins
§ Classification is based on solubility
§ Nine water-soluble: B vitamin complex and vitamin C
§ Four fat-soluble: vitamins A, D, E, and K
§ Solubility influences a vitamin’s

§ Digestion
§ Absorption
§ Transportation
§ Storage
§ Excretion
Vitamin Structure and Function
§ All vitamins contain carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen
§ Some vitamins contain nitrogen and
sulfur
§ Chemical structure of each vitamin is
unique
§ Each vitamin is a singular unit

§ Vitamins are absorbed intact

§ Vitamins perform numerous essential

functions
Vitamin Absorption & Storage
§ All absorption takes place in the small intestine

Fat-soluble vitamins
§ Are absorbed in the duodenum
§ Storage
§ Vitamin A is mainly stored in the liver
§ Vitamins K and E are partially stored in the liver
§ Vitamin D is mainly stored in the fat and muscle
tissue
§ Can build up in body to point of toxicity
Digesting and Absorbing Vitamins
Vitamin Absorption & Storage
§ All absorption takes place in the small intestine

Water-soluble vitamins
§ Absorbed with water and enter directly into the blood
stream
§ Most absorbed in the duodenum and jejunum
§ Most are not stored in the body
§ Excess intake excreted through the urine
§ Important to consume adequate amounts daily
Digesting and Absorbing Water-Soluble Vitamins
Destruction of Vitamins
§ Water-soluble vitamins can be destroyed by
§ Exposure to air
§ Exposure to ultraviolet light
§ Water
§ Changes in pH
§ Heat
§ Food preparation techniques
§ Fat-soluble vitamins tend to be more stable
 B-1, B-2, B-3,B5,B-6,B9 B-12
§ Vitamins used in the
prevention of degenerative
changes in the central nervous
system

B4 – adenine (DNA metabolite)

B8 – adenylic acid (DNA metabolite)
Vitamin B1 / Thiamine/ Vit. F
• “Thio” – means sulfur
• Has substituted pyrimidine and thiazole rings linked by a
methylene
• Active form: Thiamine pyrophosphate
Vitamin B1 / Thiamine/ Vit. F
• Use and function:
• Producing energy from carbohydrates
• proper nerve function
• stabilizing the appetite
• promoting growth and good muscle tone
• ATP production
Vitamin B1 / Thiamine/ Vit. F
• DEFICIENCY:

classic deficiency state

§ Beri-beri
Genetic deficiency state
§ Lactic acidosis
§ Branched chain aminoacidopathy
§ Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Vitamin B1 / Thiamine/ Vit. F
• DEFICIENCY: § Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
§ Most common in alcoholics
Symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy
include:
•Confusion and loss of mental activity
that can progress to coma and death
•Loss of muscle coordination (ataxia)
that can cause leg tremor
•Vision changes such as back and
forth movement of the eye called
nystagmus), double vision,  eyelid
drooping,

Symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome:

•Inability to form new memories
•Loss of memory, can be severe
•Making up stories (confabulation)
•Seeing or hearing things that are not
really there (hallucinations)
Sources of B-1
• Pork
• Fish
• Liver
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Whole grain or enriched breads and cereals
Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin /Vit. G/
yellow vitamin
• Active forms: takes part in REDOX reaction
• Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN)
• Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD)

• structure involves three fused six-membered

rings (two of which contain nitrogen) with the
monosaccharide ribose attached to the
middle ring.
Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin
• Use and function:
• energy production
• carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism
• formation of antibodies and red blood cells
• cell respiration
• maintenance of good vision, skin, nails, and hair
• alleviating eye fatigue
Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin
• Deficiency:
• Cheilosis- swollen cracked bright-
red lips
• Bloodshot eyes
• Itching and burning eyes/ conreal
vascularization
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Digestive disturbances
Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin
• Deficiency:
• Glossitis- smooth & purplish tongue
Sources of B-2
• Large amounts in
• Dairy products
• eggs
• Legumes
• meats
• Small amounts in
• leafy green vegetables
• enriched grains

• Yeast – richest natural source

Side Effect: Yellow discoloration of

urine
B-3/ Niacinamide,Niacin,Nicotinamide,Nicotinic acid

• Nicotinic acid – nicotine oxideized with nitric acid

• Active forms:
• Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)
• Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAP+)

• Types
• Niacinamide (Nicotinamide)
• does not regulate cholesterol
• Niacin (Nicotinic Acid)
• highly toxic in large doses

• Other related names:

• Anti-black tongue factor
• Antipellagra factor
• Pellagra preventing factor
B-3 : FUNCTIONS

• Causes direct peripheral vasodilation

• Important in:
• energy production
• maintenance of skin and tongue
• improves circulation
• maintenance of nervous system
• health of the digestive track
• adjunctive therapy in primary hyperlipidemia
B-3 Deficiency
• Pellagra
- Dementia/ Delusions
- Dermatitis/ Inflamed mucus membranes/ Scaly
skin sores
- Diarrhea
• Other related symptoms:
• loss of appetite
• headache, insomnia, mental depression
• fatigue, aches, and pains
• nervousness, irritability
• Genetic error:
• Hartnup’s disease
Warnings
• In doses of only 50-100 mg nicotinic acid can cause
dilation of blood vessels and potentially painful tingling
(“niacin flush”), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and long
term liver damage.
• Nicotinamide is almost always safe to take, although a
few cases of liver damage have been reported in
doses of over 1000 mg/day.
 B5 – Pantothenic acid
• “Pantothen” – from everywhere
• Aka : chick anti-dermatitis factor
• Active form: Coenzyme A
• an important coenzyme in Kreb’s cycle and in metabolism of fatty acids
• Cofactor essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins

§ acyl carrier protein (ACP), regarded as a “giant coenzyme A

molecule
B5 – Pantothenic acid

• Burning foot syndrome – distal

paresthesias/ of extremities
§ Pain
§ Numbness
§ Sleeplessness
§ Fatigue
§ Neuromuscular
degeneration
• Animal organs (heart,kidney,liver)
• Cereal grains
• Meat
• Mushroom
• Eggs
• Peanut
B-6 /Pyridoxine,Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine
• Plants: Pyridoxine
• Animal tissues: Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine
B-6
• Important in:
• Production of red blood cells
• conversion of tryptophan to niacin (B-3)
• immunity
• nervous system functions
• reducing muscle spasms, cramps, and numbness
• maintaining proper balance of sodium and phosphorous in the
body
Use:
§ supplement dietary intake and treatment of deficiency states
associated with isoniazid treatment for tuberculosis (TB)
 B-6 Pyridoxine Deficiency
• Sideroblastic anemia
• or sideroachrestic anemia is a form of anemia in
which the bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts
(erythroblasts with perinuclear iron-engorged
mitochondria) rather than healthy red blood cells
(erythrocytes).
• Acquired sideroblastic anemia is frequently associated
with myelodysplastic syndrome (but may be produced
by drugs or toxins) and causes a macrocytic anemia.
• Congenital sideroblastic anemia is caused by one of
numerous X-linked or autosomal mutations and is
usually a microcytic-hypochromic anemia with increased
serum iron and ferritin and transferrin saturation.

Microcytic – decreased volume of erythrocytes

Macrocytic – increased volume of erythrocytes
Hypochromic – decreased averaged weight of hemoglobin in RBC
B-6 Pyridoxine Deficiency
• Peripheral neuropathy (PN)
• is numbness or tingling in the hands and
feet, and is caused by damage to nerve
endings.
• Other symptoms may include weakness
or f eel i ngs of bur ni n g , t i c k l i n g , o r
pricking in the arms, hands, legs and
feet.
• HIGH DOSE
• Ataxia (shaky movements) and paresthesia
(muscular weakness)
• ANTAGONIST:
• Chloramphenicol, isoniazid and oral
contraceptives
Recommendations
• Men 14-50
1.3 mg/day • 1 chicken breast
• Men 50+ • 0.5 cup cooked spinach
1.7 mg/day • 1 cup brown rice
• Women 14-18 OR
1.2 mg/day • 1 baked potato with skin
• Women 19-50 • 1 banana
1.3 mg/day
• 4 oz. lean sirloin
• Women 50+
1.5 mg/day
Warnings
• High doses of B-6 may be recommended to treat PMS,
carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep disorders, but
continued use of high doses may result in permanent
nerve damage.
• Pregnant women should always consult their doctor
before taking this supplement and all others.
Who’s at Risk?
• alcoholics
• patients with kidney failure
• women using oral contraceptives
B-7 Biotin/ Vit. H/ co-enzyme R, anti-egg
white injury factor
• be obtained both from dietary intake and also via biotin-
producing bacteria (micro biota , hence the name biot in)
present in the human large intestine

• Structurally, biotin is a fused two-ring

system with one ring containing sulfur and
the other ring containing nitrogen. Attached
to the sulfur-containing ring is a pentanoic
acid residue.
B-7 Biotin/ Vit. H/ co-enzyme R, anti-egg
white injury factor
• “Free” biotin - biologically active.
• coenzyme form as biotin- is formed by the carboxyl group of biotin’s
pentanoic acid attachment forming an amide linkage with a residue of
the amino acid lysine present at the enzyme’s active site.

coenzyme, biotin is a carrier for CO2; it has

a specific site (a nitrogen atom) where a
CO2 molecule can become attached.
B-7 Biotin/ Vit. H/ co-enzyme R, anti-egg
white injury factor
• Deficiency:
• Alopecia
• Erythroderma desquamativa (leiner’s
disease)
• Aka dermatitis seborrhoides infantum
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Note: consumption of large amounts of raw
egg white (which contain avidin, that binds
to biotin) induces deficiency.
• Avidin – glycoprotein in raw egg white that
forms a non-absorbable avidin-biotin complex.
Sources:
• Eggyolk
• Liver
• Cereal grains
• Milk
B-9 Folic acid, Pteroylglutamic acid,
Folacin/ Folate
• Folate “folium” – leaf
• Active form: Tetrahydrofolic acid
• With anti-anemia property Structure:

(1)a n i t r o g e n - c o n t a i n i n g
double-ring system
(pteridine)
(2)paraaminobenzoic
acid (PABA) and
(3) one or more residues of
the amino acid glutamate

• Folic acid – one glutamate residue is present

• Polyglutamate – 3 or more glutamate
B-9 Folic acid, Pteroylglutamic acid,
Folacin/ Folate

• Tetrahydrofolate (THF), has only one glutamate, and four

hydrogen atoms have been added to the double-ring nitrogen
system.
 B-9 Folic acid, Pteroylglutamic acid,
Folacin

• Deficiency:
• Megaloblastic and macrocytic
anemia - is a condition in which
the bone marrow produces
unusually large, structurally
abnormal, immature red blood
cells (megaloblasts).
• Glossitis

Note: Administration of large doses of folate can masks

vitamin B12 deficiency
Sources:
• Dark green leafy vegetables - best natural source for
folate
• Liver
B-12 Cobalamin
• Contains: cobalt as the central atom
• Active form: 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin (necessary for
the synthesis of DNA)
• Free form:
cyanocobalamin
• Most stable of
the cobalamins;
synthesized
using
microorganisms
especially
Streptomyces
griseus
• Coenzyme:
methylcobalamin
B-12 Cobalamin
• Deficiency:
• Pernicious anemia - a decrease in
red blood cells that occurs when
the intestines cannot properly
absorb vitamin B12.
• A special protein, called intrinsic
factor (IF), helps your intestines
absorb vitamin B12. This protein is
released by cells in the stomach.
When the stomach does not make
enough intrinsic factor, the intestine
cannot properly absorb vitamin B12.
• Dementia
• Spinal degeneration
Vitamin C/ Ascorbic acid/ cevitamic acid
• the best known of all vitamins, was the first to be
structurally characterized (1933), and the first to
be synthesized in the laboratory (1933).
• aka: Ascorbic acid (Toxic to viruses, bacteria, and some
malignant tumor cells)
• Least stable of all vitamins (udergooes oxidation)
What are C’s functions in the body?
• cosubstrate in the formation of
the structural protein collagen,
which makes up much of the
skin, ligaments, and tendons
and also serves as the matrix
on which bone and teeth are
formed.

• Specifically, biosynthesis of the

amino acids hydroxyproline and
hydroxylysine (important in
binding collagen fibers together)
from proline and lysine requires
the presence of both vitamin C
What are C’s functions in the body?
• Antioxidant
• Regenerate active forms of
vitamin E
• Keep the active form of folate in
it reduced form
• Iron cofactor reaction
• Maintains iron in oxidation state
that allows it to function
• Enhanced wound healing
• Urinary acidifier
Deficiency:
Latin word:
scorbutus
Deficiency:
• scurvy (bruising easily,
bleeding gums, and
tendency for bones to
fracture)
• Weight loss
• fatigue and joint pain
• reduced resistance to
colds and infections
• slow healing of wounds
and fractured bones
Deficiency:
• bleeding of the gums
• loosened teeth
• petechial hemorrhage of the skin
and mucous membranes (a tiny
pinpoint red mark),
• bleeding in the eye,
• proptopsis of the eyeball
(protruding eye),
• hyperkeratosis (a skin disorder),
corkscrew hair
• Appetite loss
• Rapid breathing
• Irritability
CHOLESTEROL DERIVED LIPIDS
§ B-carotene
§ yellow- to orange redcoloring pigment/carotenoid
§ Prescursor for vitamin A
§ Retinoids (prefomed)
§ Retinol (major natural and usable form)
§ Retinal
§ Retinoic acid
What does it do?
• Vision
• vitamin A (as retinal) combines
with the protein opsin to form the
visual pigment rhodopsin
What does it do?
• Regulating Cell Differentiation
• Cell differentiation is the process whereby immature cells change in
structure and function to become specialized cells.
• example, immature bone marrow cells to white blood cells and others into red
blood cells. In the cellular differentiation process,
• vitamin A (as retinoic acid) binds to protein receptors; these vitamin
A–protein receptor complexes then bind to regulatory regions of DNA
molecules.
What does it do?

• Maintenance of the Health of Epithelial Tissues.

• includes skin and the linings of the mouth, stomach, lungs, vagina,
and bladder.
• Lack of vitamin A (as retinoic acid) causes such surfaces to
become drier and harder than normal.
What does it do?
• Reproduction and Growth.
• In men, vitamin A participates in sperm development.
• In women, normal fetal development during pregnancy
• In both cases, it is the retinoic acid form of vitamin A that is needed.
Vitamin A
• Deficiency:
• Nyctalopia (night blindness)
• Xeropthalmia (thickened and wrinkles cornea and conjunctiva)
• Growth retardation
• Impotence
FORMULATIONS:
• Tretinoin or all-trans retinoic acid
(Retin-A)
• Increase epidermal cell miosis and
epidermal cell turnover
• Treat Acne vulgaris
• Isotretinoin or 13-cis retinoic acid
(Accutane)
• Use for severe recalcitrant cystic acne
and works by controlling the oil in the
sebaceous glands
• Contraindicated to pregnant women
(pregnancy category X) – birth defects
• B-carotene (Solatane)
• Reduce photosensitivity in individual
with erythropoietic protophyria
Where does it come from?
• Animal Sources
• Eggs
• Meat
• Cheese
• Milk
• Halibut fish oil
Plant Sources
• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Cantaloupe
• Pink Grapefruit
• Apricots
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Pumpkin
Too Much Can Be Toxic!!
• Hypervitaminosis A leads to toxic symptoms:
• Dry, itchy skin
• Headaches and fatigue
• Hair loss
• Liver damage
• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite
• Skin coloration
Other Side Effects
• Severe birth defects
• Women of child-bearing age should not consume more than
8000 IU per day
• Retin-A (acne cream) or Accutane can cause birth defects
• Retinol is most dangerous form because the body will not
convert as much beta-carotene to vitamin A unless needed
but it can still be harmful
• Skin can take on a yellow/orange glow
• Most cases of vitamin A overdose occur from supplements
but can occur from diet
• RDA is considering establishing an Upper Limit
D3 – Cholecalciferol
D2 – Ergocalciferol
Active form: 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol
 • Vitamin D3 “sunshine vitamin”
• produced in the skin of humans and animals by
the action of sunlight (ultraviolet light) on its
precursor molecule, the cholesterol derivative
7-dehydrocholesterol (a normal metabolite of
cholesterol found in the skin)

Absorption of light energy induces breakage of the 9,

10 carbon bond; a spontaneous isomerization (shifting
of double bonds) then occurs.
D2 – Ergocalciferol
Other info:
• Cholecalciferol/D3
• primary form of the vitamin encountered in zoologic species
• Ergocalciferol/D2
• derived from ergosterol
• Calciferol or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol
• management of metabolic bone disease and hypocalcemia in
patient on chronic renal dialysis
• calcitriol or 1,25 – dihydroxycholecalciferol
• management of hypocalcemia in patients on renal dialysis
• Dihydrotachysterol or 9,10-secoergosta-5,7,22-trien-
3B-ol
• For acute,latent and chronic forms of postoperative tetany,
idiopathic tetany and hyperparathyroidism
Functions and uses:
• Utilization of calcium and
phosphate and is essential to the
development and maintenance
of strong teeth and bones:
• Antirachitic (for rickets) vitamins
• For hypophosphatemia and
hypoprathyroidism
• maintain normal blood levels of
calcium ion and phosphate ion so
that bones can absorb these ions.
Deficiency:
Sources:
• Milk is enriched in vitamin D by exposure to
ultraviolet light.
§ Cholesterol in milk is converted to cholecalciferol
(vitamin D) by ultraviolet light.
§ Margarine (fortefied)
§ recommend a standard of 800–1000 IU per day instead of
the long-established standard recommendation for vitamin
D of 400 IU per day.
Vitamin E:
• alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol.

• alpha-tocopherol - greatest biochemical activity

• Gamma-tocopherol is the main form of vitamin E in vitamin-E rich
foods.
Vitamin E
• Antioxidant
• Reduce the energy of the free radical
• Stop the free radical from forming in the
first place
• Interrupt an oxidizing chain reaction to
minimize the damage of free radicals
Vitamin E What does it do?
• Protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of
the body (LDL cholesterol) from oxidation
• May reduce the risk of heart disease
• May also discourage development of some types of
cancer
• Promotes normal growth and development
• Promotes normal red blood cell formation
• Acts as anti-blood clotting agent
• Plays some role in the body’s ability to process glucose
• Also been known to aid the process of wound healing
Vitamin E
Where does it come from?
• wheat germ oil
• vegetable oils
• nuts and seeds
• whole grains
• egg yolk
• leafy green vegetables
Vitamin E Can you take too much?
• No harmful effects at 50 times RDA (1200 – 1500 IU)
• At 2,400 IU per day, may cause bleeding due to its clot-
preventing ability
• May reduce body’s supply of vitamin A
• May alter immune system
• Vitamin E toxicity is rare
Vitamin E Who should take supplements?
• People over the age of 55
• Smokers
• People who abuse alcohol
• Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary
intake or increased nutritional requirements
Vitamin E: Deficiency

• Coronary disease
• Sterility
 Vitamin K:
• Structurally refers to 2,methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and
derivatives of this compound that exhibit an
antihemorrhagic activity
• Active forms:
• Menadione
• Menaquinone
• Phylloquinone
Forms:
• K1
• Phylloquinone,phytonadione,phytylmenaquinone, 2-methyl-3-
phytyl-1,4naphthoquinone
• Occurs in green leafy vegetables
• Treatment of hypoprothrombinemia
• K2
• Menaquinone, prenylmenaquinone-7
• form of vitamin K in vitamin K rich supplement
• K3
• Menadione, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone
• K4
• Menadiol or 2-methyl,1,4-naphthalenediol
Vitamin K
• Function
• For coagulation disorders as essential in formation of prothrombin
• Antidote for heparin toxicity
• Deficiency
• Hemorrhage
• red blood cell fragility
VITAMIN RELATED FACTORS:
• A. PABA – Para-aminobenzoic acid
• Precursor of folic acid
• Used for rheumatic fever and other conditions benefiting from salicylate
therapy
• UV sunscreen in topical preparation
• B. Choline (B-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide)
• Occurs in eggyolk, animal organs, fish,milk,cereal grains,fruits and roots
vegetables
• Use: lipotropic agents in conditions such as liver cirrhosis, huntington’s
chorea, presenile dementia and tardive dyskinesia
• C. Inositol (meso-inositol,myoionositol or cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-
cyclohexanehexol)
• Dietary sources: legumes, cereal grains, nuts and animal organs
• Implicated in membrane transport of amino acid and K and Na ions
• Large doses may cause moderate diarrhea
END