Biomolecules Vitamins
Biomolecules - Vitamins
Introduction to Vitamins
Classification of Vitamins
Functions of Vitamins in the Body
Food Sources of Vitamins
Vitamin Deficiencies and Excesses
Biomolecules Vitamins
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.
Biomolecules Vitamins
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin D (Calciferol)
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, Menaquinone)
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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.
Biomolecules Vitamins
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
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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