Vitamins Flashcards
Vitamin A Functions + Beta-carotene
Vision; cornea health, mucous membranes, skin; growth; regulation of gene expression; reproduction; embryonic development of spinal cord and heart; immunity.
Beta-carotene: antioxidant
Vitamin A Deficiencies
Anemia; painful joints; tooth decay; impaired enamel formation; diarrhea; frequent infections; night blindness; rashes, blindness; impaired growth; kidney stones
Vitamin A Toxicities + beta-carotene
Red blood cell breakage; nosebleeds; bone pain; growth retardation; difficulty gaining weight, weight loss; pressure in skull; abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; blurred vision; fatigue; loss of appetite; dry skin; rashes; hair loss; liver damage; birth defects.
Beta-carotene: skin yellowing
Vitamin D Functions
Mineralization of bones (raises blood calcium and phosphorous via absorption from digestive tract and by withdrawing calcium from bones and stimulating retention by kidneys)
Vitamin D Deficiencies
Abnormal growth; misshapen bones, soft bones, joint pain, malformed teeth, muscle spasms
Vitamin D Toxicities
Elevated blood calcium; calcification of blood vessels, heart tissues, and tooth tissues; excessive thirst; headaches; weakness, nausea; irritability;
Vitamin E Functions
Antioxidant; stabilization of cell membranes; support of immune function; normal nerve development
Vitamin E Deficiencies
Red blood cell breakage, anemia, nerve degeneration; leg cramps; difficulty walking
Vitamin E Toxicities
Augments the effects of anticlotting medication; discomfort; nausea; blurred vision; fatigue
Vitamin K Functions
Synthesis of blood-clotting proteins and proteins important in bone mineralization
Vitamin K Deficiencies
Hemorrhage; poor skeletal mineralization
Vitamin K Toxicities
Interference with anticlotting medication
Vitamin C Functions
Collagen synthesis (strengthen blood vessel walls, forms scar tissue, matrix for bone growth), antioxidant, restores vitamin E to active form, hormone synthesis, supports immune cell functions, helps in iron absorption
Vitamin C Deficiencies
Scurvy; Immune suppression; frequent infections; bleeding gums; loose teeth; muscle degeneration and pain, depression; bone fragility, joint pain; pinpoint hemorrhages, rough skin, blotchy bruises; anemia, failure of wounds to heal
Vitamin C Toxicities
Nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, excessive urination, headache, fatigue, insomnia, rashes, interference with medical tests
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) Functions
Part of a coenzyme needed in energy metabolism; supports normal appetite and nervous system function
Thiamin Deficiencies
Beriberi, edema, heart problems and failure, degeneration, weakness, pain, apathy, loss of reflexes, mental confusion, paralysis
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) Functions
Part of coenzyme in energy metabolism; supports normal vision and skin health
Riboflavin Deficiencies
Ariboflavinosis, cracks at corner of mouth, smooth magenta tongue, sore throat, hypersensitivity to light, skin rash
Niacin (vitamin B3) Functions
Part of coenzymes needed for energy metabolism
Niacin Deficiencies
Pellagra, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, black or bright red swollen tongue, irritability, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, flaky skin rash
Niacin Toxicities
Nausea, vomiting, painful flush and rash, sweating, liver damage, impaired glucose tolerance, vision disturbances
Folate Functions
Part of coenzyme needed for new cell synthesis
Folate Deficiencies
Anemia, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, frequent infections, smooth red tongue, birth defects, mental confusion, depression, fatigue, headaches
Folate Toxicities
Masks vitamin B12 deficiency, mental confusion depression, irritability, headache, fatigue
Vitamin B12 Functions
Part of coenzymes needed for new cell synthesis, help maintain nerve cells
Vitamin B12 Deficiencies
Anemia, smooth tongue, fatigue, nerve degeneration, tingling or numbness
Vitamin B6 Functions
Part of coenzyme needed in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, helps convert tryptophan to niacin and to serotonin, helps make red blood cells
Vitamin B6 Deficiencies
Anemia, depression, confusion, abnormal brain wave pattern, convulsions, rashes; greasy, scaly dermatitis
Vitamin B6 Toxicities
Bloating, depression, fatigue, impaired memory, headaches, numbness, damage to nerves, difficulty walking, restlessness, convulsions, skin lesions
