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Vitamins

Vitamin E describes a family of antioxidants that protect cell membranes and LDL cholesterol from oxidation. The main dietary sources are vegetable oils, nuts, and some vegetables. Deficiency can cause neurological and muscle problems. Vitamin E supplements are used to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Excess intake may increase bleeding risk.

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200 views29 pages

Vitamins

Vitamin E describes a family of antioxidants that protect cell membranes and LDL cholesterol from oxidation. The main dietary sources are vegetable oils, nuts, and some vegetables. Deficiency can cause neurological and muscle problems. Vitamin E supplements are used to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Excess intake may increase bleeding risk.

Uploaded by

Vijay Krishna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VITAMIN E

The term vitamin E describes a family


of 8 antioxidants,
4 tocopherols (,, , & ) and
4 tocotrienols.
-tocopherol is the active form of
vitamin E in the human body.
FUNCTIONS
• The main function of vitamin E is anti
oxidant. It intercepts free radicals &
prevents destruction of cell membrane.
• It protects the fat in LDL from oxidation.
• It inhibits platelets aggregation.
• It enhances vasodilatation.
• It inhibits the activity of protein kinase C.
Vitamin E Dietary Sources

 Vegetable oils
 Almonds & peanuts
 Avocado
 Spinach
 Carrots (least)
Vitamin E deficiency
•Severe vitamin E deficiency causes:
Neurological symptoms (impaired
coordination) & muscle weakness.
Increased risk of cardiovascular
diseases
Hemolytic anemia in children
RISK FACTORS

Severe PEM

Genetics defects affecting the


transfer protein of -tocopherol

 Fat malabsorption syndrome


THERAPEUTIC USES
 Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
 Diabetes Mellitus
 Cancer prevention
 Boost immunity
 Dementia
TOXICITY

Excess vitamin E may cause:


 Impaired blood clotting leading to
increased risk of bleeding in some persons.
It is recommended that vitamin E
supplements to be stopped one month
before elective surgery.
VITAMIN K
The K is derived from the German word
Koagulation.

There are 2 naturally occurring forms of


vitamin K. Plants synthesize phylloquinone
(vitamin K1) & bacteria synthesize
menaquinone-3 (vit K2).

Menaquinone-4 is produced in animals from


vit K1, but its function is yet to be discovered.
FUNCTIONS
•Vitamin K is needed for production of
vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors in
the liver.
•Other functions include:
Assist in bone mineralization. The
mineral binding capacity of osteocalcin
requires vit K.
Gas6 is vit K-dependent protein
identified in 1993. It is important for
neuronal function.
SOURCES OF VITAMIN K
Bacteria in large intestine produce vit
K2 and supply 40-50% of human
requirement.
Vegetable oils
Almonds & peanuts
Avocado & Broccoli
Spinach, Lettuce, parsley (raw)
Vitamin K deficiency
 Is uncommon in adults. Only those with
severe liver disease & those on oral
anticoagulants are at risk.
 Exclusively breast fed & premature babies
are at risk coz human milk is low in vitamin E
& their gut is not yet colonized with bacteria.
 Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is a
serious threat to life & routine vit k
prophylaxis is recommended by the AAP.
HDN
VITAMIN C
 Humans, unlike other mammals, are unable
to make ascorbic acid & they get it from
food.

 Rich dietary sources are citrus juices


(orange, grapefruit & lime), strawberry,
Guava, tomato, sweet red pepper & broccoli.

 Recommended daily intake is between


15-120 mg/day depending on age.
Smokers & lactating mother needs the
higher range.
FUNCTIONS

 Collagen synthesis
 Antioxidant
 Synthesize of noradrenaline
 Carnitine synthesize
 Metabolism of cholesterol to bile salts
Vitamin C deficiency
 Severe deficiency leads to Scurvy with the
following manifestations:
Bleeding & bruising easily
Hair & teeth loss
Joint pain & swelling
Fatigue & lack of concentration
THERAPEUTIC USES

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cataracts
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cancer prevention
• Common cold
• Lead toxicity
DRUG INTERACTIONS
• Contraceptive pills & aspirin lower
vitamin C level in plasma & WBC.
• Vitamin C in large dose blocks the action
of warfarin & interferes with
interpretation of certain lab tests
(bilirubin & creatinine in serum and
guaiac assay for occult blood).
• Previous claims of serious toxic effects
of vit C are not evidence-based.
SCURVY
VITAMIN B Complex
 Group of 7 water soluble vitamins, thiamin,
riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, cobalamin,
biotin & pantothenic acid.

 Biotin & pantothenic acid deficiencies are


extremely rare coz it is found in numerous
foods and also is synthesized by intestinal
bacteria.
 Biotin deficiency may occur with prolonged
antibiotic therapy & ingestion of raw eggs.
Vitamin Rich Diet
THIAMIN (VIT B1)
 Thiamin is rapidly converted to its active
form, thiamin pyrophosphate in the brain and
liver by a specific enzymes, thiamin
diphosphotransferase.

 TPP is necessary as a cofactor for the


reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway.

 The dietary requirement for thiamin is


proportional to the caloric intake of the diet
and ranges from 1.0 - 1.5 mg/day for normal
adults.
RISK OF THIAMIN DEFICIENCY

 Low intake & alcoholism


 Increased consumption: Malaria & AIDS

 Excessive loss: hemodialysis and diuretics


 Anti-thiamin factors: tea & coffee.

 Thiaminases found in raw fish, raw shellfish


& in silkworms.
DEFICIENCY & USES

 Severe thiamin deficiency can lead to:


 Beri-Beri
 Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

 Thiamin is used for treatment of


congestive heart failure & Alzheimer's
disease as well as in cancer prevention.
RIBOFLAVIN (VIT B2)
 Adequate amounts of B2 is present in eggs,
milk, meat & cereals. Deficiency is often seen
in chronic alcoholics due to their poor dietetic
habits.
 Symptoms associated with riboflavin
deficiency include, glossitis, seborrhea,
angular stomatitis, cheilosis and photophobia.
 Riboflavin decomposes when exposed to
visible light. This characteristic can lead to
riboflavin deficiencies in newborns treated by
phototherapy.
NIACIN (VIT B3)
 Niacin is available in both animal & plant
food and is made in the body from
tryptophane.
 Severe deficiency causes pellagra with
glossitis, dermatitis, diarrhea, depression and
dementia.
 Hartnup disease, malignant carcinoid
syndrome & Isoniazid can lead to niacin
deficiency .
 In large doses niacin lowers plasma
cholesterol but it elevates blood glucose &
uric acid levels, so it is not recommended
with diabetes & gout.
PELLAGRA
PYRIDOXINE (VIT B6)
 Pyridoxine functions as a cofactor in
enzymes reactions required for the
synthesis & catabolism of the amino acids
as well as in glycogenolysis.
 Widely available in diet & deficiency
may follow INH & pencillamine therapy.
 Deficiency can cause neonatal seizures,
cheilosis, glossitis & neuroitis.
COBALOMIN (VIT B12)
 B12 functions as a cofactor for enzymes
required for the catabolism of fatty acids &
the conversion of homocysteine to
methionine.
 B12 is not available in plant & deficiency
may occur in strict vegetarians & in pts
with GIT problems & those on prolonged
antibiotic treatment.

 Deficiency causes megaloblastic


anemia, SACDC, & high homocysteine in
blood which is a risk of IHD & stroke.
FOLIC ACID
 Folic acid is obtained from yeasts and leafy
vegetables as well as animal liver. Animals can’t
synthesize folate, thus, it must come from diet.

 Folate is needed for synthesis of nucleic


acids
 Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia &
neural tube defects in utero.
 Used for treatment of chronic hemolytic
anemia.

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