Water Soluble Vitamins Flashcards
Where are water soluble vitamins stored?
They are stored in water
What are the water soluble vitamins?
B1, B2, B3, B5, B7, B7, B12 and C
What is the function of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?
- involved in production of collagen where it is used in the structure of connective tissue and bone
- aids wound healing and iron absorption
- prevents certain cancers & heart diseases sue to antioxidant properties
- increases body’s resistance to infection
- essential in manufacture of cell walls of blood vessels
- important for functioning of nervous system
What are the symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency?
- scurvy (poor wound healing and bleeding gums)
- lower resistance to infection
- anaemia
What are the functions of vitamin B1 (thiamine)?
- involved in the release of energy from macro-nutrients
- important for the brain and nerves (which use glucose for their energy needs)
- maintains muscle tone
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B1 deficiency?
- beriberi
- alcoholics sometimes develop deficiency which affects brain functions
What are the functions of vitamin B2 (riboflavin)?
- involved in energy release, especially from fat, protein & carbohydrates
- affects growth rate
- maintains skin around nose and mouth
- maintains nervous system
- helps with enzyme functioning
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B2 deficiency?
- changes to mucous membrane and skin around mouth and nose
- conjunctivitis (eye disease)
- cheilosis (swollen tongue, cracks in corners of mouth and edges of lips)
What are the functions of vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotinic acid)?
- involved in the release of energy
- necessary for healthy skin
- maintains function of nervous and digestive systems
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B3 deficiency?
- pellegra
- diarrhoea
- dermatitis
- dementia
- death
What are the functions of vitamin B3 (pyridoxine)?
- metabolises proteins
- promotes growth and formation of new cells
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B3 deficiency?
- retarded growth
- dermatitis
What are the functions of vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate/folacin)?
- involved in the formation of blood cells
- reduced risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in babies
- required with B12 for formation of red blood cells in bone marrow
- crucial for DNA development
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B9 (folic acid) deficiency?
- megaloblastic anaemia
- deficiency in pregnant women can cause incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord of the foetus
What are the functions of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)?
- necessary for proper formation of blood cells and nerve fibres
- important for functioning of digestive tract
