CSU871- Food as medicine

Lecture- 11
Topics to be covered today

1. Vitamin

2. Fat soluble vitamin

3. Water soluble vitamin

 Vitamins

• The discovery of the vitamins was begun in the year 1912 by a Polish American biochemist
Casimir Funk. There are thirteen different types of vitamins and all are required for the
metabolic processes. Vitamins, on the other hand, generally cannot be synthesized in amounts
sufficient to meet bodily needs and therefore must be obtained from the diet or from
some synthetic source. For this reason, vitamins are called essential nutrients. Vitamins also
differ from the other biological compounds in that relatively small quantities are needed to
complete their functions. In general these functions are of a catalytic or regulatory
nature, facilitating or controlling vital chemical reactions in the body’s cells. If a vitamin is absent
from the diet or is not properly absorbed by the body, a specific deficiency disease may develop.
Types of Vitamins
Based on the solubility, Vitamins have been classified into two different groups:

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins- Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fat cells and as the name
suggests, these vitamins require fat in order to be absorbed. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-
soluble vitamins.

• Water-soluble vitamin- Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in our body as its excess gets
excrete through the urine. Therefore, these vitamins need to be replenished constantly. Vitamin
B and C are water-soluble vitamins.
 The vitamins
Alternative
Vitamin Biological function Symptoms of deficiency
names

Water-soluble

Component of a coenzyme in
Beriberi, impairment of the nerves
Thiamine Vitamin B1 carbohydrate metabolism; supports
and heart muscle wasting
normal nerve function.

Fatigue, swollen throat, blurred

vision, and depression. It can
affect the skin by causing skin
Component of coenzymes required for
crack, itching, and dermatitis
energy production, cellular function,
Riboflavin Vitamin B2 around the mouth. Hyperemia and
growth, and development; and
edema around the throat, liver
metabolism of fats, drugs, and steroids.
degeneration, and hair loss can
also occur along with reproductive
issues.
 The vitamins

Alternative
Vitamin Biological function Symptoms of deficiency
names

Water-soluble

Component of coenzymes used broadly

Niacin, nicotinic in cellular metabolism, oxidation of fuel Pellagra, skin lesions,
Vitamin B3
acid, nicotinamide molecules, fatty acid and steroid gastrointestinal disturbances,
synthesis, proper blood circulation, nervous symptoms
healthy functioning of nervous system

Component of coenzymes in metabolism

of amino acids and other nitrogen-
Pyridoxine,
containing compounds; synthesis of Dermatitis, mental depression,
pyridoxal, vitamin B6
hemoglobin, neurotransmitters; confusion, convulsions, anemia
pyridoxamine
regulation of blood glucose levels, helps
in synthesis of antibodies
 The vitamins

Alternative
Vitamin Biological function Symptoms of deficiency
names

Water-soluble

Impaired formation of red blood cells,

Component of coenzymes in DNA
weakness, irritability, headache,
synthesis, metabolism of amino
Folic acid Vitamin B9 palpitations, inflammation of mouth,
acids; required for cell division,
neural tube defects in
maturation of red blood cells
fetus, megaloblastic anemia

Cofactor for enzymes in metabolism

Cobalamin,
of amino acids (including folic acid) Smoothness of the tongue,
cyanocobalam
Vitamin B12 and fatty acids; required for new cell gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous
in
synthesis, normal blood formation, system imbalance, Pernicious anemia
and neurological function
 The vitamins

Alternative
Vitamin Biological function Symptoms of deficiency
names

Water-soluble

As component of coenzyme A, Weakness, gastrointestinal

Pantothenic essential for metabolism of disturbances, nervous symptoms,
Vitamin B5
acid carbohydrate, protein, and fat; fatigue, sleep disturbances,
cofactor for elongation of fatty acids restlessness, nausea

Cofactor in carbohydrate, fatty acid, Dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis,

Biotin Vitamin H
and amino acid metabolism neurological symptoms

Antioxidant; synthesis of collagen, Swollen and bleeding gums, soreness

carnitine, amino acids, and and stiffness of the joints and lower
Ascorbic acid
Vitamin C hormones; immune function; extremities, bleeding under the skin and
enhances absorption of non-heme in deep tissues, slow wound healing,
iron (from plant foods) anemia
Conjunctivitis Scurvy
 Fat-soluble

Normal vision, integrity of

epithelial cells (mucous Ocular disturbances leading to
retinol, retinal, retinoic
membranes and skin), blindness, growth retardation, dry
vitamin A acid, beta-carotene
reproduction, embryonic skin, diarrhea, vulnerability to
(plant version)
development, growth, immune infection
response

calciferol, calatriol
(1,25-dihydroxy vitamin
D1 or vitamin D
Maintenance of blood calcium Defective bone growth in children
hormone),
Vitamin D and phosphorus levels, proper (rickets), soft bones in
cholecalciferol (D3;
mineralization of bones adults(osteomalacia)
plant version),
ergocalciferol (D2;
animal version)

antioxidant; interruption of free

radical chain reactions; peripheral neuropathy, breakdown
Vitamin E Tocopherol
protection of polyunsaturated of red blood cells
fatty acids, cell membranes
 Fat-soluble

phylloquinone,
synthesis of proteins involved in
menaquinone, impaired clotting of the blood and
vitamin K blood coagulation and bone
menadione, internal bleeding
metabolism
naphthoquinone
 Thank you

Dr. Mamta
School of Bioengineering & Food Technology
Shoolini University
Village Bajhol, Solan (H.P)
+91 701827769
mamtachandel@shooliniuniversity.com