Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that our body needs in small amounts to stay healthy and function properly.

Helps in:

• Growth and development
• Boosting immunity
• Proper functioning of organs
• Energy production

Vitamins and Their Scientific Name

Vitamins of the B group are tabled below:

Types of Vitamins

There are 13 essential vitamins, which are further divided into two main types -

Water Soluble Vitamins 

The name "water-soluble vitamin" suggests that these vitamins are soluble (dissolve) in water. This is why they are constantly flushed out of the body and need to be refilled frequently. Examples of water-soluble vitamins are vitamins in the B group and vitamin C.

Biotin - (Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H)

Function:

• Plays a role in energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates.
• Essential for the health of the skin, hair, and nails.

Deficiency Disease:

• Deficiency can cause symptoms like hair loss, skin rashes, neurological problems, and impaired growth in infants.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin-C)

Function of Vitamin C:

• Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
• Required for the synthesis of collagen, a protein vital for wound healing, skin, and connective tissue health.
• Supports the immune system, helping in the body's defense against infections.

Deficiency Disease:

• Scurvy: Characterized by weakness, fatigue, swollen and bleeding gums, and impaired wound healing due to collagen breakdown.

Niacin (Vitamin B₃)

Function of Niacin:

• Plays a role in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
• Helps in energy production by facilitating enzymatic reactions involved in cellular respiration.
• Niacin also supports nervous system function and promotes healthy skin.

Deficiency of Niacin:

• Pellagra: Characterized by symptoms such as dermatitis, dementia, and potentially death if left untreated.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Function of Folic Acid:

• Essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and red blood cells.
• Important for cell division and growth, especially during pregnancy.
• Role in amino acid metabolism

Deficiency Disease:

• Megaloblastic anemia: where red blood cells are larger than normal and unable to function properly.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Function: Role in converting carbohydrates into energy.

Deficiency Disease:

• Beriberi: Characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, nerve damage, and heart problems.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B₂).

Function:

• Role in energy production by aiding in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Deficiency Disease:

• Ariboflavinosis: Characterized by symptoms such as sore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat, and cheilosis

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Vitamin B5 Function:

• Plays a role in the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA)
• Involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and steroid hormones.
• Contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine.

Deficiency Disease:

• Pantothenic acid deficiency: Can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and muscle cramps.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

Vitamin B6 Function:

• Role in bodily functions, including metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and immune function.
• It is involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids and helps in the production of red blood cells.

Deficiency Disease: Anemia, Dermatiti, Neurological symptoms such as confusion and depression

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Cobalamin Function:

• Role in bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and maintenance of nerve cells.
• Essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
• Also involved in converting food into energy and supporting the normal development of the brain and nervous system in infants.

Deficiency Disease: Megaloblastic anemia. Long-term deficiency can result in irreversible nerve damage and neurological disorders.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are in contrast to water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat only and not in water.

Vitamin A

Function of Vitamin A:

• Essential for vision, particularly in low-light conditions.
• Supports immune function, helping maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes.
• Plays a role in cell growth and differentiation.

Deficiency Disease:

• Night blindness, where vision is impaired in low light.
• Xerophthalmia, a condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated.
• Weakened immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections

Vitamin D

Function:

• Supports calcium absorption in the gut.
• Regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
• Promotes bone mineralization and growth.
• Supports immune function.

Deficiency Disease:

• Rickets in children: Leads to soft, weak bones and skeletal deformities.

Osteomalacia in adults: Causes bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased risk of fractures.

Vitamin E

Function of Vitamin E:

• Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Supports immune function.
• Helps in the formation of red blood cells.

Deficiency Disease:

• Vitamin E deficiency may lead to neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness and vision problems.
• Hemolytic anemia: characterized by the destruction of red blood cells.

Vitamin K

Functions of Vitamin K:

• Supports blood clotting by activating proteins essential for blood coagulation.
• Plays a role in bone metabolism and mineralization.

Deficiency Disease: Vitamin K deficiency can lead to excessive bleeding and easy bruising due to impaired blood clotting.