Vitamins
Vitamin word is derived from 'vital + amine' it means such amines
which is vital but, now a day such vitamins are also identified which are
not amines.
Vitamins are the organic compounds required in small amount in our diet, But
their deficiency causes specific diseases. Most of the vitamins can't
be synthesized in our body, But plants can synthesized almost all of them.
The bacteria of the gut can produce some of the vitamins required by
humans. All the vitamins are generallly available in our diet. vitamins are
deignated by alphabets A,B,C,D,E etc.. Excess of vitamins is also
harmful and vitamins tablets should not be taken without the advice of
doctor.
Table of Contents
Discovery
In 1910 the first vitamin complex was isolated by Japanese Scientist
UMETARO SUZUKI, Who success in extracting a water soluble
complex of micronutrients from rice bran and named it arabic acid. He
published this discovery in a Japanese scientific journal.
The discovery of the vitamins was a major scientific achievements in our
understanding of Health and disease.
Classification of vitamins
Vitamins are classified into two groups ;-
1.Fat soluble vitamins :- These vitamins are soluble in oil and fats & are insoluble in
water.Vitamin A,D,E & K are the example of this group.These are stored
in liver and adipose tissue in which these are stored are called
adepose.
2.Water soluble vitamins :- These vitamins are water soluble these comes out from the body along
with the excreation.Vitamin-B & Vitamin-C are the example of water
soluble vitamins.Therefore,we have take them daily in food sources of
vitamins and diseases caused due to their deficiency are described.
Difference between fat and water soluble vitamin
Types of vitamins
Vitamin-A
Chemical Name :- Retinol
Chemical Formula :- C20H30O
Functions
:- Anti-xerophthalmic,Synthesis of retinal pigments,Promotes normal
vision,Growth of bones & teeth,Maintenance of epithelia {prevention of
keratinisation},Anti-infective.
Deficiency :- Xerophthalmia,Night-blindness,Keratomalacia {dermatosis,toad
skin},Impairment of respiratory and urogenital tract epithelia,Stunted
growth.
Source
:- Carotene in green & yellow vegetables
{carrot,lettuce,cabbage,tomato},Mango,
Orange and as such in Milk,Butter,Ghee,Egg,Yolk,Livercud and Shark liver
oil.
Vitamin-D
Chemical Name :- Ergocalciferol
Chemical Formula :- C28H44O
Functions :- Antirachitic,Absorption & retention of calcium and Phosphorus,Growth
& maintenance of bone.
Deficiency :- Rickets in childrens,Osteomalacia in adults,Weak-soft bones,Skeletal
distortions,Poor muscle development.
Source
:- Sunshine {human body synthesis},Cod & Shark liver
oil,Chicken,Egg,Yolk,Milk,Butter.
Vitamin-E
Chemical Name :- Tocopherol
Chemical Formula :- C29H50O2
Functions :- Antisterility factor,Antioxidative for membrane lipids,Skin {reduce
keratinisation} and hair,Reduce atherosclerosis,Inhibits oxidation of
vitamin-A and unsaturated fatty acids.
Deficiency :- Erythrocyte breakdown {anaemia},Muscular dystrophy {cramps},Miscarriage
and reduced fertility.
Source :- Green vegetables,Oils,Milk,Cheese,Butter,Eggs.
Vitamin-K
Chemical Name :- Phylloquinone
Chemical Formula :- C31H46O2
Functions :- Anti-hemorrhagic factor,Factor for synthesis of prothrombin {hence
essential for blood coagulation},Liver functioning.
Deficiency :- Prolonged bleeding {bleeding diseases} "or" Haemorrhages,Liver
malfunctioning.
Source :- Green vegetables,Tomato colon bacteria.
Vitamin-B1
Chemical Name :- Thiamine
Chemical Formula :- C12H17N4OS+
Functions :- Antineuritic,Antibacterial,Component of TPP {cocarboxylase},Functioning
of muscles & nerves.
Deficiency :- Anorexia,Muscular atrophy,Beri-beri in humans and Polyneuritis in
animals.
Source :- Yeast,Whole grains {cereals,dried beans},Egg yolk,Pork meat.
Vitamin-B2
Chemical Name :- Riboflavin
Chemical Formula :- C17H20N4O6
Functions :- Maintenance of skin and Oral mucosa,Component of FMN {flavin
mononucleotide} & FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) {in oxidative
phosphorylation},Antimigraine.
Deficiency :- Cheilosis,Glossitis,intolerance to light,Headache,Mental depression and
Digestion disorders.
Source :- Yeast,Green vegetables,Milk,Curd,Cheese,Eggs,
Liver,Meat,Fish,Legumes.
Vitamin-B3
Chemical Name :- Niacin
Chemical Formula :- C6H5NO2
Functions :- Formation of coenzyme-A,Required in cell respiration,Functioning of skin
and nerves.
Deficiency :- Gastro-intestinal disorders,Graying of hair in animals,Burning feet
syndrome.
Source :- Yeast,Milk,Wheat bran,Pulses,Liver,Colon bacteria.
Vitamin-B5
Chemical Name :- Pantothenic acid
Chemical Formula :- C9H17NO5
Functions :- Anti-pellagra,Component of NAD+,NADP+,Energy transfer and nervous
system.
Deficiency :- Pellagra,Crnine black tongue disease,Scaly pigmented skin,irritation to
gastrointestinal tract {diarrhoea}.
Source :- Yeast,Pulses,Green vegetables,Cereals,Milk,Egg
yolk,Liver,Fish,Meat,intestinal bacteria,Also synthesis from
tryptophan.
Vitamin-B6
Chemical Name :- Pyridoxine
Chemical Formula :- C8H11NO3
Functions :- Component of coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate,
Deficiency :- Anaemia,Neuritic pain,Convulsions,Skin lesions impairment of antibody
synthesis.
Source :- Yeast,Green vegetables,Egg yolk,Wheat germ,Liver.
Vitamin-B7
Chemical Name :- Biotin
Chemical Formula :- C10H16N2O3S
Functions :- Prosthetic group of some enzymes in energy liberation,Carboxylation
{CO2
fixation},Transamination,Protein and fat synthesis,Avidin of raw egg white
prevents biotin absorption.
Deficiency :- Dermatitis,Anorexia,
Muscular pain,Rice in blood cholesterol,Scaly skin and Weakness.
Source :- Yeast,Vegetables,Fruits,Egg yolk,Colon bacteria.
Vitamin-B9
Chemical Name :- Folic acid "or" Folate
Chemical Formula :- C19H19N7O6
Functions :- Required in erythrocyte maturation,DNA & RNA Synthesis,Transfer
of methyl groups.
Deficiency :- Megaloblastic or Macrocytic anaemia,Malformed RBCs,impairment of
antibody synthesis,Stunted growth,Gastrointestinal
disorders,Glossitis,Cleft palate.
Source :- Leafy vegetables,Egg yolk,Colon bacteria,Liver.
Vitamin-B12
Chemical Name :- Cyanocobalamin
Chemical Formula :- C63H88CON14O14P
Functions :- Required for erythrocyte maturation,DNA Synthesis,Myelin formation.
Deficiency :- Pernicious anaemia with large immature nucleated RBCs,Devoid of
haemoglobin,Glossitis,Loss of peripheral sensation.
Source :- Milk,Eggs,Liver,Fish,Colon bacteria.
Vitamin-C
Chemical Name :- Ascorbic acid
Chemical Formula :- C6H8O6
Functions :- Absorption of iron,Formation of dentine collagen and bone matrix,Amino
acid oxidation,Antioxidant,Recovery from toxicity and burns.
Deficiency :- Scurvy,Stiff sore joints,Fragile blood vessels and bones,Delayed wound
healing.
Source :- Citrus fruits,Guava,Tomato,Amla,Mango,
FAQs
Which vitamin is responsible for hair growth.?
Vitamin-H or Biotin is responsible for hair growth.
Vitamin-H is also known as.?
Vitamin-H is also known as Biotin or vitamin-B7 & it is responsible for hair growth.
Which vitamin is also known as vitamin-PP.?
Niacin "or" Vitamin-B is known as vitamin-PP,because an acronym for pellagra prevention.
Vitamin-M is also known as.?
Vitamin-M is also known as Folic acid or vitamin-B9 or Folate.