Vitamins

Question 1

Vitamin A Functions + Beta-carotene

Answer 1

Vision; cornea health, mucous membranes, skin; growth; regulation of gene expression; reproduction; embryonic development of spinal cord and heart; immunity.
Beta-carotene: antioxidant

Question 2

Vitamin A Deficiencies

Answer 2

Anemia; painful joints; tooth decay; impaired enamel formation; diarrhea; frequent infections; night blindness; rashes, blindness; impaired growth; kidney stones

Question 3

Vitamin A Toxicities + beta-carotene

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Vitamin D Functions

Answer 4

Mineralization of bones (raises blood calcium and phosphorous via absorption from digestive tract and by withdrawing calcium from bones and stimulating retention by kidneys)

Question 5

Vitamin D Deficiencies

Answer 5

Abnormal growth; misshapen bones, soft bones, joint pain, malformed teeth, muscle spasms

Question 6

Vitamin D Toxicities

Answer 6

Elevated blood calcium; calcification of blood vessels, heart tissues, and tooth tissues; excessive thirst; headaches; weakness, nausea; irritability;

Question 7

Vitamin E Functions

Answer 7

Antioxidant; stabilization of cell membranes; support of immune function; normal nerve development

Question 8

Vitamin E Deficiencies

Answer 8

Red blood cell breakage, anemia, nerve degeneration; leg cramps; difficulty walking

Question 9

Vitamin E Toxicities

Answer 9

Augments the effects of anticlotting medication; discomfort; nausea; blurred vision; fatigue

Question 10

Vitamin K Functions

Answer 10

Synthesis of blood-clotting proteins and proteins important in bone mineralization

Question 11

Vitamin K Deficiencies

Answer 11

Hemorrhage; poor skeletal mineralization

Question 12

Vitamin K Toxicities

Answer 12

Interference with anticlotting medication

Question 13

Vitamin C Functions

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Vitamin C Deficiencies

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Vitamin C Toxicities

Answer 15

Nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, excessive urination, headache, fatigue, insomnia, rashes, interference with medical tests

Question 16

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) Functions

Answer 16

Part of a coenzyme needed in energy metabolism; supports normal appetite and nervous system function

Question 17

Thiamin Deficiencies

Answer 17

Beriberi, edema, heart problems and failure, degeneration, weakness, pain, apathy, loss of reflexes, mental confusion, paralysis

Question 18

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) Functions

Answer 18

Part of coenzyme in energy metabolism; supports normal vision and skin health

Question 19

Riboflavin Deficiencies

Answer 19

Ariboflavinosis, cracks at corner of mouth, smooth magenta tongue, sore throat, hypersensitivity to light, skin rash

Question 20

Niacin (vitamin B3) Functions

Answer 20

Part of coenzymes needed for energy metabolism

Question 21

Niacin Deficiencies

Answer 21

Pellagra, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, black or bright red swollen tongue, irritability, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, flaky skin rash

Question 22

Niacin Toxicities

Answer 22

Nausea, vomiting, painful flush and rash, sweating, liver damage, impaired glucose tolerance, vision disturbances

Question 23

Folate Functions

Answer 23

Part of coenzyme needed for new cell synthesis

Question 24

Folate Deficiencies

Answer 24

Anemia, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, frequent infections, smooth red tongue, birth defects, mental confusion, depression, fatigue, headaches

Question 25

Folate Toxicities

Answer 25

Masks vitamin B12 deficiency, mental confusion depression, irritability, headache, fatigue

Question 26

Vitamin B12 Functions

Answer 26

Part of coenzymes needed for new cell synthesis, help maintain nerve cells

Question 27

Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

Answer 27

Anemia, smooth tongue, fatigue, nerve degeneration, tingling or numbness

Question 28

Vitamin B6 Functions

Answer 28

Part of coenzyme needed in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, helps convert tryptophan to niacin and to serotonin, helps make red blood cells

Question 29

Vitamin B6 Deficiencies

Answer 29

Anemia, depression, confusion, abnormal brain wave pattern, convulsions, rashes; greasy, scaly dermatitis

Question 30

Vitamin B6 Toxicities

Answer 30

Bloating, depression, fatigue, impaired memory, headaches, numbness, damage to nerves, difficulty walking, restlessness, convulsions, skin lesions