VITAMINS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be
able to:
understand the basic chemistry of vitamins;

classify vitamins according to their solubility;

explain the common properties of fat-soluble

vitamins
elaborate on fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in
terms of their chemistry, sources,
recommended daily allowance (RDA),
digestion, absorption, transportation and
storage, their functions as well as the clinical
consequence of their deficiency.
Getting to knowVITAMIN
Organic compounds
Why are they essential?
Not synthesized sufficiently
Not synthesized at all
Must be supplied in diet
Aka micronutrients required in small amounts
Do not provide energy; but involved in energy
yielding from other nutrients (CHO, protein, lipids)
Based on their solubility, they are classified into
Classification of Vitamins

Fat-soluble Water-soluble
A
C
D
E
B complex
K
Fat-soluble Vitamins: Common
Facts
Digestion & Absorption

Digestion requires bile salts & formation of micelles

Absorption only efficient if fat absorption is normal

Transport

Requires specific carrier proteins

Body can store surplus

Deficiency effects do not occur rapidly because they are

stored in the body
Toxicity (hypervitaminosis) occurs if intake is excessive
 Vitamin A: The Chemistry

Vitamin A the collective Retinal

term
for compounds showing
vitamin A activity,
collectively
called Retinol
RETINOIDS
Retinoic
acid

Synthetic
compounds
Carotenes
The provitamin of vitamin A
Yield vitamin A in the body
Plants contain different types of carotenes:
,,
-carotene the most important & most
common in plants; converted to vitamin A in
the intestine
1 molecule of -carotene consists of 2
molecules of vitamin A
Vitamin A: Sources
Vitamin A is present in animal-based food only
Vegetarians?
Vitamin A: RDA

GROUP OF INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE

Adult Man/Woman 600 g retinol = 2400 g -carotene
Pregnant Woman 600 g retinol = 2400 g -carotene
Lactating Mother 950 g retinol = 3800 g -carotene
Infants 350 g retinol = 1400 g -carotene
Children 400-600 g retinol = 1600 - 2400 g -carotene
Vitamin A:
Digest, Absorp, Transport, Store
Vitamin A is incorporated into
chylomicrons

Digested by Transported to
pancreatic & stored as
hydrolases retinol palmitate

Transported to
other tissues with
help from Retinol
Binding Protein
Absorbed in small intestine (RBP)
Vitamin A: Functions

Rod cells & cone cells in the retina are responsible for vision
Rhodopsin in rod cell : vision in dim light
Photopsin in cone cell: vision in bright light & colour
Both pigments contain vitamin A (in the form of 11-cis-retinal)

Important role in normal reproduction

Promotes synthesis of transferrin (iron transfer protein)-helps iron
transport

Maintain normal epithelium

Required for skeletal growth
Vitamin A: Deficiency
NIGHT BLINDNESS
XEROPHTALMIA (Dryness of eyes)

Due to keratinisation in cornea & conjunctiva

Dryness of conjunctiva is called conjunctival xerosis (1st clinical

signs of Vit A deficiency)
Dryness of cornea is called corneal xerosis

KERATOMALACIA

corneal ulceration and degeneration (a consequence of untreated

xerophtalmia),
can lead to total blindness
RENAL FAILURE due to keratinisation in renal tract

REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE

GROWTH RETARDATION

MICROCYTIC ANAEMIA
Vitamin A: Toxicity
Excessive -carotene not toxic
Excessive consumption can cause
hypervitaminosis A
Symptoms:
Hepatomegaly
Skeletal deformities
Anorexia
Irritability
Dermatitis
Headache
Drowsiness
Peeling of skin
Vitamin D: Chemistry (1)
2 forms of Vitamin D:
Ergocalciferol (D2)
Cholecalciferol (D3)
Sources:
Exogenous - D2 is found in plants
- D3 is obtained from fish liver oil,
shrimps, milk, egg
Endogenous D3 can be synthesized from
7-dehydrocholesterol (present in skin),
by the action of UV ray from sunlight
Vitamin D: Chemistry (2)
What are the Provitamin D?
7
Ergosterol
dehydrocholesterol

RDA :
Adults 10 mg
Pregnant & Lactating Women 15 mg
Vitamin D: Absorp, Transport,
Store
Absorption :
Absorbed in small intestine with fats with the help of
bile salts
Transportation :

Incorporated into chylomicron, transported through the

lymph & enters the circulation
In the circulation, vitamin D binds to vitamin D-binding
protein (DBP), then transported to other tissues
Storage:

In liver & other tissues (kidney, adrenal glands, etc)

Vitamin D: Biochemical Function

Vitamin D is not biologically active; needs to

be converted to active form CALCITRIOL (1,
25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol)
ACTIVATION OF VITAMIN D/ FORMATION OF CALCITRIOL
Vitamin D: Biochemical Function
Role of Calcitriol
Bone Mineralization & formation
Calcitriol is required for proper
mineralization of bone
Increase the number & activity of
osteoblasts
In osteoblast, calcitriol stimulates Ca uptake
& deposition
Calcium & Phosphate Homeostasis

Calcitriol is hypercalcemic hormone

Sites of action: intestine, kidney & bones
Vitamin D: Deficiency

Rickets Osteomalacia
(children) (adults)
Rickets
Disease of growing bones; insufficient
mineralization of new bones
During the stage of bone growth, deposition of
minerals (calcification) fail to occur in the
newly formed matrix, but matrix formation
continues
Result in: soft, easily bent bones
Deformities occur because cartilaginous
structure cannot withstand the weight of the
growing body
Result in:
Rickets in Children

Bowleg Knock knees Pigeon chest Rickety-rosary rib

Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is
characterized by:

Insufficient
mineralization of
bones
Softness of bones
Bone pain and
aches
Bones easily
fractured
Vitamin D: Toxicity
Aka hypervitaminosis D
Symptoms:
Hypercalcemia
Calcification of soft tissues, esp. renal tissues
(causing renal stone)
Weight loss, weakness, polyuria, increased
thirst, etc
Vitamin E: General Info
Consists of : Tocopherol &
tocotrienol
Sources:
Vegetable oils
Meat, egg, milk, butter
RDA: 8-12 mg/day
Deficiency: Rare
Vitamin E: Absorb, Transport, Store

Absorption :
Absorbed in small intestine with fats with the help
of bile salts
Transportation :

Transported from intestine to liver by chylomicron

Then from liver to other tissues, mainly adipose
tissues & muscles
Storage:

In liver & adipose tissues

Vitamin E: Biochemical Functions

A powerful natural antioxidant

Prevents peroxidative damage of PUFA of cell
membranes which is caused by free radicals
Free radicals attack & oxidize PUFA of cell
membranes , destabilize cell membrane integrity,
so normal functioning of cells are affected
Vitamin E acts as antioxidant which destroys free
radicals
Vitamin E also acts synergistically with selenium
Vitamin K: General Info
Chemistry: Naphtoquinone derivative
compound
Sources:

Green leafy vegetables

Intestinal bacteria

If RDA: by
synthesized If NOT
bacteria synthesized by
bacteria
50-100 g/day 1-2 mg/day
Vitamin K: Absorp, Transport,
Store
Absorption :
Absorbed in small intestine with fats with
the help of bile salts
Transportation :

Transported from intestine to liver by

chylomicron
Then from liver to other tissues by LDL
Storage:

In liver
Vitamin K, aka anti-
haemorrhagic vitamin

Inactive blood carboxylase

clotting factors: activated
Factor II, VII, IX, X Vitamin K

The co-factor for carboxylase enzyme

Deficiency of Vitamin K can lead to haemorrhage