Vitamins

Question 0

Fat-soluble vitamins

Answer 0

• They are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa as part of the
chylomicron complex.

• Deficiency in one or more of these vitamins can result from
chronic malabsorption.

• Deficiency in these vitamins develops slowly as stored
supplies are depleted.

• Vit A stores for more than 1 year
• Vit E stored for several months
• Vit K, D stored for only few days or weeks

Question 1

Vitamins: General Information

Answer 1

• Diverse groups of nutrients that must be obtained from the
diet.

• They are low-molecular weight compounds that act mainly
as enzyme cofactors.

• Based on their solubility, vitamins are classified as:

(1) fat-soluble: vitamins A, E, K, and D.
(2) water-soluble: B vitamin group, vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Question 2

Vitamin A Function

Answer 2

Vision, growth, reproduction, immune responses,

Question 3

Vitamin D Function

Answer 3

Bone calcification

Question 4

Vitamin E Function

Answer 4

Antioxidant, neurological function, cardiovascular disease prevention

Question 5

Vitamin K Function

Answer 5

Coagulation

Question 6

Vitamin A Deficiency

Answer 6

Night blindness, growth retardation

Question 7

Vitamin D Deficiency

Answer 7

Decreased calcium absorption, bone pain, osteoporosis, fractures
Rickets, Osteomalacia

Question 8

Vitamin E Deficiency

Answer 8

Mild hemolytic anemia, ataxia, pigmentary retinopathy

Question 9

Vitamin K Deficiency

Answer 9

Bleeding disorders, bruising deficiency

Question 10

Water-soluble vitamins

Answer 10

• They are absorbed without the involvement of fat absorption.
• They function as coenzymes.
• All except vitamin C must be metabolically converted to
active forms.
• Storage:
- thiamine is stored for only few weeks
- vitamin B12 is stored for several years
- other B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are stored less than 3
months