Vitamins Overview

Question 1

How many vitamins?

Answer 1

13
A
C
D
E
K
B1 Thiamine
B2 Riboflavin
B3 Niacin
B5 Pantothenic acid
B6
B7/B8 Biotin
B9 Folate
B12

Question 2

What are vitamins?

Answer 2

• Vitamins are carbon containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts for normal growth and function.
• The body cannot produce vitamins (with the exception of vitamin D).
• Vitamins cannot be directly converted into energy or tissues, like macronutrients can. However:
- Some vitamins are essential in the process of energy production (B1, B2, B3, B5). If deficient, this can result in poor ATP production, e.g. vitamin B5 is needed for the synthesis of coenzyme A (review Biochemistry
• Vitamins facilitate physiological functions in the body, e.g. Vitamin C
facilitates collagen synthesis (but is not a physical ‘part’ of collagen)

Question 3

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Answer 3

1. Fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K.
   • Fat soluble vitamins are soluble in fats.
   • Absorbed with fat in the small intestine into the lymphatic
   capillaries and then into the blood. They are readily stored.
   • Tighter range between efficacy and toxicity than water soluble.

Question 4

Vitamin Classification

Answer 4

Fat Soluable

Water Soluble

Question 5

Water soluble vitamins

Answer 5

2. Water soluble vitamins: B vitamins and vitamin C.
   • Water soluble vitamins are soluble in water.
   • Absorbed in the small intestine directly into the blood . Storage
   is minimal (exception = B12), and easily excreted, if in excess.

Question 6

Vitamin Insufficiency to Deficiency

Answer 6

• Progression of insufficiency to deficiency of vitamins:
1. Preliminary reduction of stores.
2. Reduction in enzyme activity.
3. Physiological impairment (early signs and symptoms)
4. Classical deficiency syndromes.
5. Terminal tissue pathology.
• True vitamin deficiencies are rare (except for vitamin B12 and vitamin D). Most cases in clinic are insufficiency states.

Question 7

Key functions of vitamins

Answer 7

Supporting the immune system
Regulating gene expression
Supporting neurological
Facilitating ATP production -B1,B2, B3, B5
Manufacturing of blood cells - B12 and B9
Regulation of hormones -B6 in GABA production