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Vitamin, any of
the organic compounds essential for many living organisms to maintain normal
health and development. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones,
blood cells, nervous-system chemicals, and genetic material. The Vitamins are
divided into Fat soluble -- A, D, E & K and water soluble -- all
types of vitamin B & C.
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Vitamins
|
Dietary
Source |
Major
Functions |
Deficiency Symptoms
|
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A
|
Liver, Egg yolk,
Fish oil, Kidney, Milk fat, Dark green fruits and vegetables |
Aids in
maintenance of healthy bones, skin and hair,
normal bone and teeth formation. Essential
for vision, especially night vision. Helps repair body tissues.
Reduces susceptibility to infections. Helps protect the membranes of the
mouth, nose, throat & lungs.
|
Night blindness,
rough, dry, scaly skin, loss of sense of
taste, increased susceptibility to infections,
retarded growth, defective teeth & gums. |
|
B1 (thiamin)
|
Pork, Liver,
Whole-grain and enriched cereals and breads, Legumes, Potatoes. |
Helps produce
energy in all cells of the body. Promotes growth & good muscle tone.
Stabilizes the appetite. Essential for the normal functioning of the
nervous system, muscles & heart. |
Poor appetite,
weakness, nerve damage, pins and needles in legs, fatigue, loss of weight,
vague aches & pains. Beriberi, which affects the nervous and cardiovascular
systems, and muscle wasting. |
| B2
(riboflavin) |
Green vegetables,
Liver, Wheat germ, Eggs and Cheese. |
Necessary for
carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Essential for growth and general
health. Promotes smooth skin. Necessary for the maintenance of good vision,
nails & hair. Aids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cells. |
Itching and
burning eyes, which become sensitive to light. Cracks and sores in the mouth
& lips, bloodshot eyes, dry and flaky skin, retarded growth, sore, red
tongue, skin rash, digestive disturbances, depression . |
| B3
(Niacin) |
Liver,
poultry, meat, canned tuna and salmon, whole grain and enriched cereals, dried
beans and peas, and nuts. |
Helps metabolize
protein, carbohydrate and fat. Maintains the nervous system. May reduce high
blood pressure. Reduces the cholesterol level in the blood. Helps maintain
healthy skin, tongue & digestive system. Improves circulation |
Diarrhea and
memory loss, weakness, irritability, headaches, muscular weakness, loss of
appetite, gastric problems. |
| B6
(Pyridoxine) |
grains,
cereals, bread, liver, avocadoes, spinach, green beans, and bananas. |
Aids in protein
metabolism. Helps with normal brain function. Essential for normal growth.
Helps maintain a proper balance of sodium & phosphorous in the body .Aids
in the formation of antibodies. Aids in the production of hormones and the
formation of red blood cells. Maintains the central nervous system |
Skin
disorders, cracks at the mouth corners, smooth tongue, convulsions, loss
of hair
dizziness, nausea,
anemia,
nervousness, arm & leg cramps
and kidney stones. |
| B12
(Cobalamin) |
Liver,
kidneys, meat, fish, eggs, and milk. |
Necessary for
carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Helps in the formation &
regeneration of red blood cells. Helps maintain the central nervous system.
Promotes growth in children. Needed for calcium absorption. Increases energy. |
Weakness and
fatigue, poor appetite, red-sore tongue or smooth tongue, growth failure in
children, nerve damage. |
| Pantothenic
Acid |
Salmon, liver,
kidney, egg, yeast, chicken, yogurt, sweet potato, milk, ham, corn,
whole-wheat macaroni, kidney beans, avocado, mushrooms, soybeans, banana,
orange, potato, broccoli, cantaloupe, peanut butter, apple, whole
grain breads and cereals. |
Helps convert
proteins, carbohydrates, fats into energy. Synthesizes hormones and
cholesterol. Fights infections by building antibodies. Improves the body's
resistance to stress. |
Retards growth,
infertility, fatigue, irritability, skin abnormalities, weakness, depression,
decreased resistance to infection, muscle cramps. |
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Folic
Acid
( Folacin )
|
meats,
leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and brewer's yeast |
Necessary for DNA
& RNA synthesis. Essential for the growth and reproduction of all body
cells. . Especially important for women of childbearing age |
Anemia
, depression, impairs growth & intestinal
problems. |
| C
ascorbic Acid |
Tomatoes, Fruits
(especially citrus), Melon, Raw cabbage, Green leafy vegetables, Peppers |
Essential for
healthy teeth, gums, skin, blood and bones. Helps heal wounds, scar tissue, and
fractures. Aids in the absorption of iron from plant sources of food. Builds
resistance to infection, maintains white blood cell function. Aids in the
treatment of the common cold. |
Scurvy a disease
that causes excessive bleeding, loose teeth, and swollen gums. Slow healing
wounds and fractures. Swollen or painful joints. Nosebleeds, impaired
digestion, loss of appetite and aching joints. |
| D |
egg
yolk, liver, tuna, and milk |
Improves
absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorous. Essential for normal
growth and development. Required for bone and teeth formation. Maintains a
stable nervous system and normal heart action.. Helps with calcium absorption
from food |
Rickets (softening
of bones) in infants and children, softening of bones in adults, tooth decay,
muscular weakness, improper healing of fractures, spontaneous fractures,
defective bone growth |
| E |
Wheat germ,
Vegetable oils, Egg yolk, Milk fat, Green leafy vegetables, Nuts |
Strong
anti-oxidant nutrient, which helps protect tissues (cells) against damage
caused by free radicals.. Important for cell health and the proper functioning
of the immune system. Protects cell membrane and tissues. Essential for normal
growth and development. Aids in bringing nourishment to cells |
Poor muscular and
circulatory performance, anemia , abnormal fat deposits in muscles, dry skin. |
| K |
leafy
green vegetables, egg yolks, soybean oil, and liver |
Essential for the
formation of blood-clotting proteins. May aid in bone mineralization.
|
Diarrhea,
increased tendency to hemorrhage.
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