Vitamin | Functions | Deficiency | Dietary Level per Day Associated with Overt Deficiency in Adults | Contributing Factors to Deficiency |
A
Retinol, Retinaldehyde, Retinoic acid, carotene
| Visual pigments in the retina;
Regulation of gene expression and cell differentiation
Beta carotene is an antioxidant),
Formation of glycoproteins.
| Xerophthalmia, night blindness,
Bitot’s spots,
follicular hyperkeratosis,
impaired embryonic development,
immune dysfunction
| <300 μg/d | Fat malabsorption,
infection,
measles,
alcoholism,
protein-energy malnutrition
|
D
Calciferol,
1,25 Dihydroxy vitamin D
| Maintenance of calcium balance;
enhances intestinal absorption of Ca2+ and
mobilizes bone mineral;
regulation of gene expression cell differentiation and
antiproliferative hormone.
| Rickets: skeletal deformation,
rachitic rosary, bowed legs;
osteomalacia
In adults
| <2.0 μg/d | Ageing,
lack of sunlight exposure,
fat malabsorption,
deeply pigmented skin
|
E
Tocopherols, tocotrienols
| Antioxidant, especially in cell membranes;
role in cell signaling
| Peripheral neuropathy,
spinocerebellar ataxia,
skeletal muscle atrophy,
retinopathy
| Not described unless underlying contributing factor is present | Occurs only with fat malabsorption,
or genetic abnormalities of vitamin E
metabolism/transport
|
K
Phylloquinone: menaquinones
| Coenzyme in formation ofgamma carboxyglutamate in enzymes of blood clotting and bone matrix | Elevated prothrombin time,
bleeding
| <10 μg/d | Fat malabsorption,
liver disease,
antibiotic use
|
B1
Thiamine-pyrophosphate
| Coenzyme in pyruvate and alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenases, and Transketolase;
Regulates Cl– channel in nerve conduction.
Important in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism
| Beriberi: neuropathy, muscle weakness and wasting, cardiomegaly, edema, ophthalmoplegia, confabulation
(Wernicke’s encephalopathy withKorsakoff’s psychosis)
| <0.3 mg/1000 kcal | Alcoholism,
chronic diuretic use,
hyper emesis
|
B2
Riboflavin
Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and Flavin Adenine dinucleotide
(FAD)
| Coenzyme in oxidation and reduction reactions;
prosthetic group of flavoproteins
| Magenta tongue,
angular stomatitis,
seborrhoea, Cheilosis
| <0.6 mg | Riboflavin Deficiency Is Widespread But Not Fatal |
B3
Niacin
Nicotinic acid, nicotinamide
| Coenzyme in oxidation and reduction reactions, functional part of NAD and NADP;
role in intracellular calcium regulation and cell signaling
| Pellagra: pigmented rash of sun-exposed areas,
bright red tongue, diarrhea, apathy,
memory loss, disorientation, death in untreated cases
| <9.0 niacin equivalents | Alcoholism,
vitamin B6 deficiency, riboflavin deficiency,
Tryptophan deficiency,
Isoniazid therapy,
carcinoid syndrome, hart nup disease.
|
B6
Pyridoxine,
Pyridoxal,
Pyridoxamine
and the
phosphorylated derivatives.
| Coenzyme in
transamination and
decarboxylation of
amino acids and
glycogen phosphorylase;
modulation of steroid hormone action
| Seborrhea,
glossitis,
convulsions,
neuropathy,
depression,
confusion,
microcytic anemia
| <0.2 mg | Alcoholism, isoniazid |
Folic acid | Coenzyme in transfer of one-carbon fragments in nucleic acid and amino acid metabolism | Megaloblastic anemia,
atrophic glossitis,
depression,
homocystinuria
| <100 μg/d | Alcoholism,
Sulfasalazine,
Pyrimethamine,
Triamterene,
Methotrexate
|
B12
Cobalamine
| Coenzyme in transfer of one-carbon fragments and metabolism | Megaloblastic anemia,
loss of vibratory and position sense,
abnormal gait,
dementia,
impotence,
loss of bladder and bowel control,
homocystinemia
methylmalonic aciduria
| <1.0μ g/d | Gastric atrophy (pernicious anemia), terminal ileal disease, strict vegetarianism, acid reducing drugs (e.g., H2blockers) |
Pantothenic acid | Functional part of CoA and acyl carrier protein:
fatty acid synthesis and metabolism
| Peripheral nerve damage
(nutritional melalgia or
“burning foot syndrome”)
| The vitamin is widely distributed in all food stuffs, and deficiency has not been unequivocally reported in humans | Alcoholism |
H
Biotin
| Co enzyme in carboxylation reactions in gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis;
role in regulation of cell cycle
| Impaired fat and
carbohydrate metabolism,
dermatitis
| Deficiency is unknown, except total parenteral nutrition, and egg white injury | |
C
Ascorbic Acid
| Co enzyme in hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen synthesis;
antioxidant; enhances absorption of iron
| Scurvy: petechiae,
ecchymoses, coiled hairs,
inflamed and bleeding gums, joint effusion, poor wound healing, fatigue
| <10 mg/d | Smoking, alcoholism |
------------------------------------------ Best Wishes: Dr.Ehab Aboueladab, Tel:01007834123 Email:ehab10f@gmail.com,ehababoueladab@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------