Fat Soluble Vitamins

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

Chief Functions: Vision,
maintenance of cornea, epithelial cells, mucous membranes, skin; bone and tooth growth; reproduction; immunity
Deficiency Symptoms: Infectious diseases, night blindness, (xerophthalmia), keratinization
Toxicity Symptoms: Reduced
bone mineral density, liver abnormalities, birth defects
Significant Sources: Retinol: milk and milk product.
Beta carotene: dark green leafy and deep yellow/orange vegetables.

Question 2

Vitamin D

Answer 2

Chief Functions: Mineralization of bones
Deficiency Symptoms: Rickets, osteomalacia
Toxicity Symptoms: Calcium imbalance (calcification of soft tissues and formation of stones)
Significant Sources: Synthesized in the body with the help of sunshine, fortified milk

Question 3

Vitamin E

Answer 3

Chief Functions: Antioxidant (stabilization of cell membranes, protection of PUFA and Vitamin A)
Deficiency Symptoms: Erythrocyte hemolysis, nerve damage
Toxicity Symptoms: Hemorrhagic effects
Significant Sources: Vegetable oils

Question 4

Vitamin K

Answer 4

Chief Functions: Synthesis of blood-clotting and bone proteins
Deficiency Symptoms: Hemorrhage
Toxicity Symptoms: None known
Significant Sources: Synthesized in the body by GI bacteria; leafy green vegetables.

Question 5

Vitamin A deficiency

Answer 5

Chief symptoms: Night blindness and keratomalacia
Differential Diagnosis: Othe causes of degenerative eye changes, e.g. infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia in neonates (rare)

Question 6

Vitamin D deficiency

Answer 6

Chief symptoms: Rickets of osteomalacia
Differential Diagnosis:
1. Ca2+ deficiency
2. Renal disease-causing decreased activity of 1=alpha hydroxylase
3. Liver disease: causing decreased activity of 25-alpha decarboxylase

Question 7

Vitamin k deficiency

Answer 7

Chief symptoms: Increased bleeding producing clotting problems (in newborn babies causes hemorrhagic disease of the newborn)
Differential Diagnosis:
1. Inherited coagulation disorders, e.g. hemophilia, Willebrand disease
2. Anticoagulant therapy: warfarin
3. Antibiotic therapy which destroys vitamin K producing bacteria in gut.