Section 1
Fundamentals of Nutrition
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Chapter 7
Vitamins
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Objectives
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Chapter 7
State one or more functions of each of
the thirteen vitamins discussed
Identify at least two food sources of
each of the vitamins discussed
Identify some symptoms of, or diseases
caused by, deficiencies of the vitamins
discussed
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Facts
Organic (carbon-containing) compounds
that are essential in small amounts for
body processes.
Do not provide energy.
Enable the body to use the energy provided
by fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Megadoses can be toxic.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin types (13)
Fat soluble (4): A, D, E, K
Water soluble (9):
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Chapter 7
Vitamin C
Vitamin B complex which includes:
thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin,
vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12
(cobalamin), pantothenic acid, biotin
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Requirements
Vitamin allowances given by weight in
milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg or
g)
Dietary reference intake (replacing
recommended dietary allowance)
UL–tolerable upper limits–maximum level
of daily intake unlikely to cause adverse
effects
Chapter 7
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Vitamin Deficiency
People prone to vitamin deficiency
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Chapter 7
Alcoholics
Poor and incapacitated elderly
Clients with serious diseases that affect
appetite
Mentally retarded
Children receiving inadequate care
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Deficiency of Fat-soluble
Vitamins
Chronic malabsorption diseases
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Chapter 7
Cystic fibrosis
Celiac disease
Crohn’s disease
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Stop and Share
Match the following terms with the correct
definition.
1. Avitaminosis
2. Hypervitaminosis
a. Concentrated form
of vitamins
b. Without vitamins
3. Vitamin supplement c. Condition caused by
ingestion of excess
vitamins
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Answers:
1. b
2. c
3. a
Chapter 7
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Avoiding Vitamin Loss
Buy fresh, unbruised vegetables and fruits
and use them raw when possible.
Prepare fresh vegetables and fruits just
before serving.
Heat canned vegetables quickly and in
their own liquid.
Chapter 7
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Avoiding Vitamin Loss
Follow package directions when cooking
frozen vegetables or fruit.
Steam, or use as little water as possible.
Cover pan and cook for a short period of
time.
Save cooking liquid for soups, stews, and
gravy.
Store in a cool, dark place.
Chapter 7
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Fat-Soluble Vitamins
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Chapter 7
Vitamins A, D, E, K
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Vitamin A
Preformed (retinol)
• Active form of vitamin A
Carotenoids
• Inactive form of vitamin A found in
plants
Chapter 7
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Functions of Vitamin A
Antioxidant; protects cells from
destruction by oxygen.
Maintains healthy eyes and skin, normal
growth and reproduction, and a healthy
immune system.
Helps prevent infection.
Chapter 7
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Sources of Vitamin A
Preformed vitamin A Carotenoids
(retinol)
(provitamin A or
beta-carotene)
Fat-containing animal
foods: liver, butter,
cream, whole milk,
cheeses
Chapter 7
Green leafy vegetables
& fruits, carrots, sweet
potatoes, squash,
spinach, broccoli,
mango, cantaloupe,
pumpkin
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Vitamin A Requirements
Commonly listed as retinol equivalents
(RE)
A retinol equivalent is 1 g retinol or 6 g
beta-carotene
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
What are the signs and symptoms you may
expect to see with too much vitamin A?
…too little?
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Excess
Deficit
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•
Chapter 7
Birth defects, hair
loss, dry skin,
headaches,
nausea, dryness
of mucous
membranes, liver
damage, and
bone and joint
pain
Night blindness;
dry, rough skin;
increased
susceptibility to
infections; and
blindness or
xerophthalmia
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Vitamin D
Prohormone–converted to a hormone in
the body.
D2 (ergocalcifenol) is formed in plants.
D3 (cholecalciferol) is formed in humans
from cholesterol in the skin.
Chapter 7
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Sources of Vitamin D
Sunlight
Milk, fish liver oils, egg yolk, butter,
fortified margarine
Most milk in the U.S. has 10 g of vitamin
D concentrate added per quart.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin D Requirements
Newborns through 51 years
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5.0 g (200 IU)
51-70 years
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10.0 g (400 IU)
70+ years
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15.0 g (600 IU)
Pregnant and lactating women
•
Chapter 7
5.0 g (200 IU)
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Stop and Share
What are the signs and symptoms you may
expect to see with too much vitamin D?
…too little?
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Excess
Deficit
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Chapter 7
Deposits of
calcium and
phosphorus in
soft tissues,
kidney and heart
damage, and
bone fragility
Poor bone and
tooth formation,
rickets which
causes
malformed
bones and pain
in infants
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Stop and Share
Deficit
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•
Chapter 7
Osteomalacia (softening of bones)
Osteoporosis (brittle, porous bones)
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Vitamin E
Tocopherols
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Alpha (most biologically active)
Beta, delta, gamma
Tocotrienols
Chapter 7
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Functions of Vitamin E
Antioxidant
Prevention of hemolytic anemia among
premature infants
Enhance immune system
Retard spoilage of commercial foods
Chapter 7
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Sources of Vitamin E
Vegetable oils: corn, soybean, safflower,
and cottonseed, and products made from
them such as margarine
Wheat germ, nuts, green leafy vegetables
Chapter 7
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Vitamin E Requirements
Given as -TE (alpha-tocopherol
equivalents)
1 mg of -TE = 1 IU
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Your client asks you if it is possible to take
too much vitamin E. How would you
advise the client?
What signs and/or symptoms can result
from too little vitamin E?
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Chapter 7
Excess
Deficit
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Relatively
nontoxic, fatsoluble vitamin.
Excess stored in
adipose tissue.
Avoid long-term
megadoses.
Serious
neurological
defects can
occur from
malabsorption.
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Vitamin K
Made up of several compounds essential to
blood clotting.
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone)
Synthetic Vitamin K (menadione)
Vitamin K is destroyed by light alkalis.
Chapter 7
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Functions of Vitamin K
Formation of prothrombin; clotting of
blood
Candidates likely to receive Vitamin K
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Chapter 7
Newborns immediately after birth
Clients who suffer from faulty fat
absorption
After extensive antibiotic therapy
Antidote for an overdose of anticoagulant
Clients being treated for hemorrhage
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Sources of Vitamin K
Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli,
cabbage, spinach, and kale.
Dairy products such as eggs, meats, fruits,
and cereals.
Bacteria in small intestine synthesizes
some vitamin K but must be supplemented
by dietary sources.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin K Requirements
Measured in micrograms.
0-6 months
•
2 g/day
6-12 months
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2.5 g/day
Men
•
120 g/day
Women (same during pregnancy or lactation)
•
Chapter 7
90 g/day
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Stop and Share
What signs and/or symptoms can result
from too much vitamin K?
… too little?
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Excess
Deficit
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•
Chapter 7
Anemia can
result from
excessive
amounts of
synthetic
vitamin K
Defective blood
coagulation,
which increases
clotting time
and makes
client prone to
hemorrhage
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Water-soluble Vitamins
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Chapter 7
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin C
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Vitamin B Complex: Thiamin
Thiamin B1
Essential for nerve and muscle action, and
metabolism of carbohydrates and some
amino acids.
Sources include unrefined and enriched
cereals, yeast, wheat germ, lean pork,
organ meats, and legumes.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Thiamin
Average adult female requires 1.1 mg/day.
Average adult male requires 1.2 mg/day.
Deficiency symptoms include loss of
appetite, fatigue, nervous irritability, and
constipation.
Beriberi is a disease caused by extreme
deficiency of vitamin B1.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Riboflavin
Riboflavin B2
Necessary for: the metabolism of
carbohydrates, protein, and fats; tissue
maintenance (especially the skin around
the mouth); and healthy eyes.
Sources include milk, meats, poultry, fish,
enriched breads, cereals, broccoli, spinach,
and asparagus.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Riboflavin
Average adult female requires 1.1 mg/day.
Average adult male requires 1.3 mg/day.
Deficiency can result in cheilosis (a
condition characterized by sores on the lips
and cracks at the corners of the mouth);
glossitis (inflammation of the tongue);
dermatitis; and eye strain in the form of
itching, burning, and eye fatigue.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Niacin
Generic name for nicotinic acid and
nicotinamide.
A coenzyme in energy metabolism.
Sources include meats, poultry, fish,
peanuts, legumes.
Milk and eggs are sources of tryptophan
(precursor).
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Niacin
Measured in niacin equivalents (NE).
1 NE = 1 mg of niacin or 60 mg of
tryptophan (an amino acid that is a
precursor of niacin).
Average adult female requires 14 mg/NE.
Average adult male requires 16 mg/NE.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Niacin
Excessive amounts of niacin may cause
flushing due to vascular dilation, GI
problems, itching, and liver damage.
May be used as a cholesterol-lowering
agent under close supervision of a
physician due to adverse side effects,
which include liver damage and peptic
ulcers.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Niacin
Deficiency symptoms include weakness,
anorexia, indigestion, anxiety, and
irritability.
Pellagra is an extreme deficiency causing
sores on the skin, diarrhea, anxiety,
confusion, irritability, poor memory,
dizziness, and untimely death.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: B6
Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine
Essential for protein metabolism and
absorption, and aids in release of glucose
from glycogen.
Serves as catalyst in conversion of
tryptophan to niacin; helps synthesize
neurotransmitters such as serotonin and
dopamine.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: B6
Sources include poultry, fish, liver, kidney,
potatoes, bananas, spinach, and unrefined
whole grains (oats and wheat).
Deficiency symptoms include irritability,
depression, and dermatitis.
Deficiency in infants can cause various
neurological symptoms and abdominal
problems.
Toxicity is rare; may cause temporary
neurological problems.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: B6
Measured in milligrams.
Average adult female requires 1.3-1.5
mg/day.
Average adult male requires 1.3-1.7
mg/day.
Need increases as protein increases.
Oral contraceptives interfere with
metabolism of vitamin B6 and can result in
a deficiency.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Folate
Folate, folacin, and folic acid are
chemically similar compounds, and names
are used interchangeably.
Needed for DNA synthesis, protein
metabolism, formation of hemoglobin.
Sources include cereals fortified with
folate, green leafy vegetables, legumes,
sunflower seeds, fruits such as orange
juice and strawberries.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Folate
Measured in micrograms.
Average adult female requires 400 g/day.
Average adult male requires 400 g/day.
Increased need during pregnancy and
growth.
600 g/day required one month before
conception through first six weeks of
pregnancy.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Folate
Deficiency linked to neural tube defects in
fetus such as spina bifida (spinal cord or
spinal fluid bulge through the back) and
anencephaly (absence of the brain).
Other signs include inflammation of mouth
and tongue, poor growth, depression and
mental confusion, problems with nerve
functions, megaloblastic anemia.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Folate
Excess can mask vitamin B12 deficiency
and inactivates phenytoin, an
anticonvulsant drug used by epileptics.
FDA limits amount in over-the-counter
supplements to:
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•
•
Chapter 7
100 g for infants
300 g for children
400 g for adults
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Vitamin B Complex: B12
Cobalamin–contains mineral cobalt.
Stored in body three to five years.
Involved in folate metabolism,
maintenance of the myelin sheath, and
healthy red blood cells.
To be absorbed, must bind with intrinsic
factor in stomach. Pernicious anemia may
result from loss of intrinsic factor.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: B12
Sources include animal foods, especially
organ meats, lean meat, seafood, eggs,
dairy products.
Average adult requires 2.4 g/day.
Increased need during pregnancy and
lactation.
Amount absorbed will depend on current
need.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: B12
Deficiency is rare and may be due to
congenital problems of absorption or years
of a vegetarian diet with no animal foods.
Symptoms inclued megaloblastic anemia,
pernicious anemia (if intrinsic factor
absent), anorexia, glossitis, sore mouth,
tongue, pallor, depression, dizziness,
weight loss, neurological system damage.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Pantothenic
Acid
Involved in metabolism of carbohydrates,
fats, proteins.
Essential for synthesis of neurotransmitter
acetylcholine and steroid hormones.
Sources include meats, poultry, fish, eggs,
whole grain cereals, and legumes.
Thought to be synthesized by the body.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Pantothenic
Acid
Food and Nutrition Board has provided an
estimated intake of 5 mg a day for normal
adults.
Toxicity from excess not confirmed.
Natural deficiencies unknown.
Signs include weakness, fatigue, burning
sensation in feet (deficiencies produced
experimentally).
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Biotin
Coenzyme in synthesis of fatty acids and
amino acids.
Sources include liver, egg yolk, soy flour,
cereals, yeast.
Synthesized in intestine by
microorganisms, amount available for
absorption unknown.
Food and Nutrition Board suggests
adequate intake of 30 g for adults.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin B Complex: Biotin
Toxicity from excess unknown.
Deficiency symptoms include nausea,
anorexia, depression, pallor, dermatitis,
increase in serum cholesterol.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid
Has antioxidant properties and protects
food from oxidation.
Role in formation of collagen.
Aids in absorption of nonheme iron.
May be involved with formation or
functioning of norepinephrine, some amino
acids, folate, leukocytes, the immune
system, allergic reactions.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin C
Sources include citrus fruits, melon,
strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, red and
green peppers, cabbage, broccoli.
Average female adult requires 75 mg/day.
Average male adult requires 90 mg/day.
Stress and cigarette smoking increase
need.
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
What disease results from a deficiency in
vitamin C?
What are the associated signs and/or
symptoms?
What results from excess?
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Scurvy: disease characterized by
gingivitis, easy bruising, pinpoint
hemorrhages of the skin, poor wound
healing, sore joints and muscles, weight
loss. Extreme cases result in death.
Found in sailors who lived without fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Chapter 7
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Stop and Share
Deficiency of Vitamin C: bleeding gums,
loose teeth, tendency to bruise easily, poor
wound healing, scurvy.
Excess: diarrhea, nausea, cramps,
excessive absorption of food iron, rebound
scurvy (when megadoses are stopped
abruptly) and possibly oxalate kidney
stones. Generally considered nontoxic.
Chapter 7
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Vitamin Supplementation
Balanced diet provides nutritional needs of
healthy people.
No amount of vitamins will build muscles.
Vitamins do not provide energy; they help
to release the energy provided by nutrients.
Heart disease, cancer and the common
cold cannot be cured by vitamin
supplements.
Chapter 7
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Conclusion
Organic compounds that regulate body
functions and promote growth.
Each vitamin has a specific function.
Well-balanced diet provides sufficient
vitamins to fulfill body requirements.
Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K
Water-soluble vitamins: B complex, C
Chapter 7
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