Vitamins
What are Vitamins?
- Vitamins are micronutrients measured in micrograms or milligrams, made from organic substances found in food.
What do they do?
- Vitamins act as regulators of a variety of chemical reactions in the body
- They do NOT provide energy
- They do NOT CURE illnesses, other than vitamin deficiency diseases
- Supplemental intake is the major cause of excessive intakes of vitamins and can lead to toxicity and/or imbalances of other nutrients
What are the recommended intakes?
- DRI's have been setto help guide adequate and safe intakes for vitamins
What determines how much of a vitamin is available from food?
- Methods of food preparation (raw, cooked or processed)
- The quantity of food eaten
- The amount in the food
- The biologic form the vitamin is in (precursor or active)
- The amount absorbed
- Efficiency of absorption
- Tissue saturation in the body
Types of Vitamins:
Water-Soluble
- Thiamin (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Niacin (B3)
- Panthothenic Acid (B5)
- Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine
- Biotin (B7) Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin C
Fat Soluble
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Phytochemicals - non essential vitamin-like compounds: (Too many to list, if someone wants the list pm me and I will add it here)
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS - DRI's of 1997-2001
Thiamin (B1)
Role in the body: Involved in energy metabolism (coenzyme of TPP), nervous system
Sources: Pork, Organ meats, Whole grain breads & cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds
RDA: (for adults) 1.1 - 1.2 mg/day
Deficiency: Beri-Beri, Wernick Korsikoff Syndrome
Overall symptoms of deficiency: anorexia, vomiting, depression, confusion, neurological changes
Riboflavin (B2)
Role in the body: Energy metabolism, helps release energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins
Sources: Milk, yogurt, cheese, whole grain products, leafy green vegetables
RDA: (for adults) 1.1 - 1.3 mg/day
Deficiency: Ariboflavinosis
Symptoms: Cheilosis (deep fissures <(cuts) in the corners of the mouth and parching of the lips), Glossitis (inflammation of the tounge), Seborrheic dermatitus (including scrotal dermatitus)
Note: If you get migrane headaches it is most likey because you are not getting enough riboflavin.
Niacin
Role in the body: Energy release from carbohydrate, protein and fat; helps with formation of red blood cells
Sources: Meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, dried fruit, leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds
RDA: (for adults) 14-16 mg/day; UL 35 mg/day
Toxicity: flushing, tingling, headache, may increase risk for liver damage, may increase uric acid levels
Deficiency: Pellagra (Disease of the 4 D's: Dermatitus, Dementia, Diarrhea, Death)
Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine
Role in the body: Carbohydrate and protein metabolism, synthesis of hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters and hemoglobin synthesis
Sources: Meat, poultry, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, bananas, dried fruits, legumes, sunflower seeds, nuts
RDA: (for adults) 1.3-1.7 mg/day; UL 100 mg/day
Health Benefits: May reduce heart disease risk
Toxicity: Nerve destruction, paralysis
Deficiency: Anemia, neurological problems including depression, headaches, numbness, seizures
Folic Acid
Role in the body: Aids in the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells, normal cell growth and maintenance, also aids in methionine metabolism
Sources: Dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, orange juice, avocados, beets, broccoli
RDA: (for adults) 400 mcg/day UL 1000 ug/day
Possible Side Effects: Very large doses > 4 mg can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency
Deficiency: pernicious anemia
Panthothenic Acid (B5)
Role in the body: hormone formation and nerve-regualting substances, energy metabolism
Sources: Abundantly found in every food group
DRI: (for adults) 5 mg/day
Deficiency: Alcoholics are most at risk
Possible Side Effects: Diarrhea with large doses
Biotin (B7)
Role in the body: Fatty acid formation, energy metabolism
Sources: Egg yolks, organ meats, oatmeal, soybeans, clams, mushrooms, bananas, peanuts, brewers yeast
DRI: (for adults) 30 mcg/day
Deficiency: occurs in people who consume large amounts of raw egg whites because of 'avidin' in the egg whites are binding to biotin
Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin
Role in the body: Formation of red blood cells, nervous system functioning
Sources: Animal products are the best sources, bacterial production of B12 on some grains, vegetables, and legumes
RDA: (for adults) 2.4 mcg/day
Health Benefits: Lowers heart disease risk, prevent anemia
Deficiency: pernicious anemia
Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid
Role in the body: Antioxidant. Forms Collagen, aids in iron absorption
Sources: Citrus fruits/juices, berries, peppers, potatoes, kiwi, guava, tomatoes, cabbage
RDA: (for adults) 75 mg/day for women; 90 mg/day for men; add 35 mg/day for smokers; UL 2000 mg/day
Health Benefits: Cancer risk reduction, possible cataract prevention, immune system functioning
Possible Side Effects: Nausea, stomach cramping, diarrhea, vomiting
Deficiency: Scurvy; Symptoms: poor wound healing, bleeding gums, easy bruising, depressed immune function and anemia
FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS -DRI's of 1997-2001
Vitamin A - Retinol (Active Vitamin A)
Role in the body: Assits in the formation and maintence of healthy skin, hair and mucous membranes; night vision, bone growth, tooth development, reproduction
Sources: Eggs, cheese, liver, milk, fortified margarines
RDA: (for adults) 700-900 mcg RAE (Retinol Activity Equivalents) UL <3000 mcg RAE
Deficiency: Night blindness and blindness, symptoms poor growth dry skin, impared immunity
Minimum Toxic Dose: 5000 mcg
Possible Side Effects: >5000 mcg; nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, weight loss, joint pain, hair loss, liver enlargement, headaches, increased risk of cancer shown in Finnish smokers, birth defects
Vitamin A - Beta-Carotene (Inactive Vitamin A)
Role in the body: Antioxidant, potential cancer risk reducing effect, immune system function
Sources: Dark green, dark yellow and orage vegetables (spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and yellow and orange fruits (cantelope, apricots, peaches)
RDA: beta-carotene content of foods is converted to RAE; 3 mcg beta-carotene units = 1 mcg RAE
Toxicity: Relatively non toxic, however, skin can turn yellow or orangish with excessive intake of foods high in beta carotene. The condition disappears as intake is reduced. Much less toxic than active vitamin A (retinol)
Vitamin D - Ergocalciferol (D2) Cholecalciferol (D3)
Role in the body: Aids in the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth; regulates calcium and phosphorus balance with the help of PTH (parathyroid hormone)
Sources: Fortified milk, tuna, salmon, sardines or cod liver oil. Made in skin when exposed to sunlight (best time is around 10 am). Half of our need is from skin production (requiring at least 15 min of sunlight a day and half from dietary intake. So all you goths out there better get that sunlight lol
DRI: Children 5 ug/day; Adults (31-50) 5 ug/day; Adults (51-70) 10 ug/day <----that one is for Old Fart

UL 50 ug/day
Deficiency: Osteomalacia in adults; Rickets in children
Toxicity: as little as 4 times the RDA in some people can result in toxicity.
It is the MOST toxic of the vitamins and leads to IRREVERSIBLE kidney, heart, and soft tissue damage by causing formation of calcium deposits in the tissues.
Vitamin E - Tocopherol
Role in the body: Antioxidant
Sources: Vegetable oils, nuts seeds, wheat germ, whole grain breads and cereals, green leafy vegetables
RDA: 15 mg/day; UL 1000 mg/day
Health Benefits: Cancer risk reduction, heart disease risk reduction
Possible Side Effects: Large doses may interfere with Vitamin K function and prolong bleeding time leading to increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke
Vitamin K - Quinone
Role in the body: Clotting, bone metabolism
Sources: Green leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, and plant oils. made by bacteria in the intestines
DRI: 90-120 mcg/day for bone health