Vitamins and Their Functions

Introduction

• Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by the body in small amounts.
• They help the body grow, develop, and function normally.
• There are 13 essential vitamins.
• Two types of vitamins:
  • Water-soluble vitamins
  • Lipid-soluble vitamins

Water-Soluble Vitamins

• Dissolve in water and move freely in the body through blood.
• Not stored in the body; need to be regularly replenished.
• Found in watery portions of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Vitamin B

• 8 types of vitamin B.
• Main sources: diet, found in a variety of foods.
• Functions:
  • Converts ingested food into energy.
  • Produces red blood cells.
• Deficiency:
  • Vitamin B12 and B6: Anemia.
  • Vitamin B1 and B3: Mental confusion.

Vitamin C

• Functions:
  • Protects the body from infections.
  • Growth and repair of tissues (bones, teeth, skin).
• Sources:
  • Best: Fruits and vegetables (Peppers, broccoli, guava, papaya, kiwi, oranges).
• Deficiency: Scurvy
  • Symptoms: Brown spots, bleeding mucous membranes, spongy gums, loss of teeth, death.
  • Importance: Collagen production (35% of body's protein).

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

• Dissolve in fat; require carrier proteins for transport in blood.
• Stored in fat cells for later use.

Vitamin A

• Functions: Maintains and protects vision.
• Sources:
  • Animal sources: Fish, meat, liver, eggs.
  • Plant sources: Leafy green vegetables, orange/yellow vegetables, fruits (Squash, carrot, spinach).
• Deficiency: Xerophthalmia (inability to see in low light).
  • Common in developing countries.

Vitamin D

• Known as the "sunshine vitamin" (produced in skin from sunlight).
• Sources: Supplements, some foods (salmon).
• Functions:
  • Promotes bone growth and strength by regulating calcium and phosphorus.
  • Ensures muscles, heart, lungs, and brain function well.
  • Helps body fight infections.
• Deficiency: Softening of bones
  • Rickets in children.
  • Osteomalacia in adults.

Conclusion

• Vitamins are critical for growth, development, and normal functioning.
• Two types: water-soluble and fat-soluble.
• Key vitamins discussed:
  • Vitamin B: Energy production, red blood cells.
  • Vitamin C: Tissue growth and repair.
  • Vitamin A: Vision.
  • Vitamin D: Bone growth and strength.