Water Soluble Vitamins

Question 1

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

Answer 1

Function: Part of coenzyme TPP in energy metabolism
Deficiency and Symptoms: Beriberi
Edema or muscle wasting, anorexia and weight loss, neurological disturbances, muscular weakness, heart enlargement and failure
Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome (most common in alcoholism)
Toxicity and Symptoms: None reported
Food Sources: Enriched, fortified, or whole grain products and meat

Question 2

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Answer 2

Function: Part of coenzymes FAD and FMN in energy metabolism.
Deficiency and Symptoms: Rare - Inflammation of the mouth, skin, and eyelids
Dermatitis, Angular stomatitis
Toxicity and Symptoms: None reported
Food Sources: Milk products, enriched, fortified, or whole grain products, liver

Question 3

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Answer 3

Function: Part of coenzyme NAD and NADP in energy metabolism.
Deficiency and Symptoms: Pellagra
4Ds: Diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia and death.
Toxicity and Symptoms: Niacin flush, liver damage, impaired glucose tolerance
Food Sources: Protein-rich foods

Question 4

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)

Answer 4

Function: Part of coenzyme A in energy metabolism
Deficiency and Symptoms: Rare, but digestive and neurological disturbances
Toxicity and Symptoms: None reported
Food Sources: Widespread in foods

Question 5

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Answer 5

Function: Part of carboxylation reactions
Deficiency and Symptoms: Skin rash, hair loss, neurologic disturbances
Toxicity and Symptoms: Rare, caused by ingestion of large amounts of raw egg whites
Food Sources: Widespread in foods; GI bacteria synthesis

Question 6

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Answer 6

Function: Activates B12; helps synthesize DNA for cell growth and replication
Deficiency and Symptoms: Megaloblastic Anemia, Birth Defects, elevated homocysteine
Toxicity and Symptoms: High levels of folate may mask vitamin B12 deficiency
Food Sources: Legumes, vegetables, fortified grain products

Question 7

Vitamin B12

Answer 7

Function: None listed.
Deficiency and Symptoms: None listed
Toxicity and Symptoms: None listed.
Food Sources: Foods derived from animals

Question 8

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Answer 8

Function: Antioxidant
Synthesis of collagen, carnitine, neurotransmitters; antioxidant
Deficiency and Symptoms: Scurvy
Bleeding gums, pinpoint hemorrhage, abnormal bone growth, and joint pain, poor wound healing
Toxicity and Symptoms: Diarrhea, GI distress
Food Sources: Fruits and vegetables