Study notes on "VITAMINS"

VITAMINS

VITAMIN K (Phylloquinone)

SOURCE

Green leafy vegetables, soya beans. The human body can also produce Vitamin K through germs in the colon(part of small intestine).

FUNCTION

• Helps blood clotting, prevent over bleeding
• Maintains health of the liver

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

Uncontrol bleeding from wounds due to clotting difficulty

SYMPTOMS OF EXCESS

Can lead to liver damage

VITAMIN E (Tocopherol)=Beauty Vitamin

It is also known as Antisterility Vitamin.

SOURCE

Green leafy vegetables, whole-wheat cereals, nuts, sprouts, egg  yolk

FUNCTION

• Maintains normal conditions of cells, and healthy skin and tissues
• Protects red blood cells
• Antioxidation
• Enhance immunity

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

New born infants: haemolytic anaemia

Adults: weakness

SYMPTOMS OF EXCESS

• Low thyroxine level
• Fertility Desease
• Headache, dizziness, fatigue
• Stomach discomfort, poor appetite

VITAMIN D (Calciferol)=(Sunhine Vitamin)

SOURCE

Egg yolk, liver, cod liver oil, fish. Our skins also produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight

FUNCTION

• Helps body absorb and utilize calcium and phosphorus, so as to maintain bones, teeth and brain healthy
• Maintains normal calcium level in blood

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

• Children: rickets
• Adults: Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis

SYMPTOMS OF EXCESS

• Calcified cartilage
• High calcium level in the blood causes abnormal heart beat and damage to organs such as kidneys
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Sore eyes
• Itchy skin

VITAMIN A (Retinol)

SOURCE

Dairy products, cod liver oil,liver, dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits

FUNCTION

• Maintains eye health
• Promotes growth and development, maintains healthy bones and teeth
• Enhances the protection and regeneration of cells and mucous membrane
• Maintains healthy respiratory and intestinal tracts
• Maintain healthy hair, nails and skin

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

• Night blindness, dry eyes
• Dry skin
• Stomach discomfort
• Poor growth
• Weak bones and teeth

SYMPTOMS OF EXCESS

• Dry, scaly, peeling, and itchy skin, rash
• Hair loss
• Poor appetite, fatigue
• Vomiting, stomach discomfort
• Liver injury
• Headache, bone pain
• Nervousness, irritability

VITAMIN B
VITAMIN B1 (Thymine)

SOURCE

sprouts, yeast Desease Beri-beri
VITAMIN B2 (Ryboflabin)

SOURCE sprout, present in cow's milk(yellowish) Desease Cheilosis, ulceration
VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine)
FUNCTION

It is responsible for rememeber dreams.

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

• Anaemia 
• Nervousness, insomnia, depression 
• Muscle cramps

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic acid)

SOURCE

Citrus fruits(orange,grapefruit,lemon),strawberry,black current,kiwi fruit, tomato, green leafy vegetables, green pepper

FUNCTION

• Helps synthesize collagen; promotes the growth and repair of cells, gum, teeth, blood vessels and bones
• Helps healing after operation and injury
• Helps calcium and iron absorption
• Enhances immunity

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

• Scurvy
• Gum
• inflammation and bleeding, fall of teeth
• Susceptibility to skin bleeding, burst of capillary vessels
• Weakness, fatigue
• Bone pain, swollen and aching joints

SYMPTOMS OF EXCESS

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Kidney stone

In smokers and drinkers vitamin C is absent.