Biomolecules - Vitamins

• Introduction to Vitamins
• Classification of Vitamins
• Functions of Vitamins in the Body
• Food Sources of Vitamins
• Vitamin Deficiencies and Excesses

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Introduction to Vitamins

• Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
• They are required in small amounts and cannot be synthesized by the body in sufficient quantities.
• Vitamins are classified into two categories: fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.
• Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K, while water-soluble vitamins include vitamins B and C.
• Each vitamin has specific roles and functions in the body.

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Classification of Vitamins

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin A (Retinol)
• Vitamin D (Calciferol)
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
• Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, Menaquinone)

Water-Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

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Functions of Vitamins in the Body

• Vitamin A: Essential for vision, immune function, and healthy skin.
• Vitamin D: Facilitates calcium absorption and helps maintain bone health.
• Vitamin E: Acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from damage.
• Vitamin K: Required for blood clotting and bone health.
• B Vitamins: Play crucial roles in energy metabolism, DNA synthesis, and nerve function.
• Vitamin C: Necessary for collagen synthesis, wound healing, and immune function.

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Food Sources of Vitamins

• Vitamin A: Found in liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
• Vitamin D: Obtained from fortified dairy products, fatty fish, and sunlight exposure.
• Vitamin E: Present in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin K: Found in leafy greens, broccoli, and fermented foods like yogurt.
• B Vitamins: Available in meat, fish, legumes, whole grains, and dairy products.
• Vitamin C: Abundant in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.

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Vitamin Deficiencies and Excesses

• Deficiency: Lack of vitamins can lead to various health problems. For example, vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, while vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy.
• Excess: Too much intake of certain vitamins can also be harmful. For instance, excessive vitamin A can lead to toxicity and adverse effects.

End of Slides

11. Vitamin A (Retinol)

• Important for vision, especially in dim light
• Promotes the health of skin and mucous membranes
• Supports immune function and reproduction
• Found in liver, fish oil, dairy products, and fortified foods
• Deficiency can lead to vision problems and increased susceptibility to infections

12. Vitamin D (Calciferol)

• Plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone health
• Helps regulate immune function and cell growth
• Obtained from sunlight exposure, fatty fish, fortified dairy products
• Deficiency can cause weak bones (rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults)

13. Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

• Acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
• Supports immune function and promotes healthy skin
• Found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens
• Deficiency is rare but can lead to nerve damage and muscle weakness

14. Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, Menaquinone)

• Essential for blood clotting and bone health
• Helps regulate calcium levels in the body
• Found in leafy greens, broccoli, and fermented foods
• Deficiency can result in excessive bleeding and impaired bone health

15. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

• Required for energy metabolism and nerve function
• Plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism
• Found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and nuts
• Deficiency can lead to beriberi (nerve damage, muscle weakness)

16. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

• Important for energy production and cell function
• Required for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Found in milk, yogurt, eggs, and leafy greens
• Deficiency can cause skin disorders and inflammation of the mouth

17. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

• Essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair
• Helps maintain healthy skin and nervous system
• Found in meat, fish, whole grains, and legumes
• Deficiency can lead to pellagra (skin rash, digestive issues)

18. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

• Required for the metabolism of proteins and neurotransmitters
• Supports immune function and brain development
• Found in meat, fish, bananas, and legumes
• Deficiency can cause anemia and neurological problems

19. Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

• Essential for DNA synthesis and cell division
• Plays a critical role in fetal development during pregnancy
• Found in leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals
• Deficiency during pregnancy can result in neural tube defects

20. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

• Necessary for red blood cell production and nerve function
• Helps maintain healthy brain and cardiovascular system
• Found in animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs
• Deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological problems

====== 21. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

• Functions as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
• Essential for collagen synthesis and wound healing
• Found abundantly in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers
• Deficiency can cause scurvy (bleeding gums, fatigue)

22. Vitamin A - Retinol

• Important for vision (especially in dim light)
• Promotes the health of skin and mucous membranes
• Supports immune function and reproduction
• Food sources: liver, fish oil, dairy products, and fortified foods
• Deficiency can lead to vision problems and increased susceptibility to infections

23. Vitamin D - Calciferol

• Plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone health
• Helps regulate immune function and cell growth
• Obtained from sunlight exposure, fatty fish, fortified dairy products
• Deficiency can cause weak bones (rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults)

24. Vitamin E - Tocopherol

• Acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
• Supports immune function and promotes healthy skin
• Found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens
• Deficiency is rare but can lead to nerve damage and muscle weakness

25. Vitamin K - Phylloquinone, Menaquinone

• Essential for blood clotting and bone health
• Helps regulate calcium levels in the body
• Found in leafy greens, broccoli, and fermented foods
• Deficiency can result in excessive bleeding and impaired bone health

26. Vitamin B1 - Thiamine

• Required for energy metabolism and nerve function
• Plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism
• Found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and nuts
• Deficiency can lead to beriberi (nerve damage, muscle weakness)

27. Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin

• Important for energy production and cell function
• Required for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Found in milk, yogurt, eggs, and leafy greens
• Deficiency can cause skin disorders and inflammation of the mouth

28. Vitamin B3 - Niacin

• Essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair
• Helps maintain healthy skin and nervous system
• Found in meat, fish, whole grains, and legumes
• Deficiency can lead to pellagra (skin rash, digestive issues)

29. Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine

• Required for the metabolism of proteins and neurotransmitters
• Supports immune function and brain development
• Found in meat, fish, bananas, and legumes
• Deficiency can cause anemia and neurological problems

30. Vitamin B9 - Folic Acid

• Essential for DNA synthesis and cell division
• Plays a critical role in fetal development during pregnancy
• Found in leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals
• Deficiency during pregnancy can result in neural tube defects