Week 4 Outline: Chapters 7. 8. And 17
What are vitamins?
Organic molecules needed in very small amounts for cellular metabolism
Perform specific metabolic functions
Water Soluble Vitamins
o Dissolve in water & are readily available
o Not stored in our body
o Excess water-soluble vitamins are quickly excreted in urine. They do not accumulate and
become toxic
o Vitamin C taken in excess can cause diarrhea
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Use: helps to release energy from foods and is important in maintaining nervous
system function
RDA: men = 1.2 mg; women = 1.1 mg
Source: lean pork, whole or enriched grains and flours, legumes, seeds, nuts
Deficiency
o Ataxia (muscle weakness/loss of coordination) and tachycardia
(rapid heartbeat)
o Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a cerebral form
o Marginal: psychologic disturbances, headache, fatigue,
irritability
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, renal dialysis, parenteral nutrition, human
immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(HIV/AIDS), persistent vomiting (as in hyperemesis gravidarum),
anorexia nervosa, gastrectomy
Toxicity: nontoxic
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Use: promotes vision and healthy skin, converts amino acid tryptophan into
niacin
RDA: men = 1.3 mg; women = 1.1 mg
Source: milk, enriched grains and cereals, whole grains, vegetables, dairy, meats,
fish, poultry, eggs
Deficiency:
o Ariboflavinosis (sores in the mouth)
, o Cheilosis, glossitis, seborrheic dermatitis
Toxicity: nontoxic
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Use: aids in digestion, metabolism, and normal enzyme function, healthy skin and
nerves
RDA: men = 16 mg; women = 14 mg
Source: protein-containing foods (meats, poultry, fish, legumes, enriched cereals,
milk, coffee, tea
Deficiency:
The 3 Ds:
o Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal (GI) tract damage alters digestion,
absorption, and excretion, which leads to glossitis, vomiting, and
diarrhea.
o Dermatitis: only on skin exposed to sun.
o Dementia: In severe deficiencies, confusion, anxiety, insomnia,
and paranoia develop
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, malabsorption
Toxicity:
o vasodilation and flushing effect
o Monitor to prevent liver damage, gout, and arthritis
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Use: aids in protein metabolism and the production of red blood cell, insulin, and
hemoglobin
RDA: adults = 1.3 mg
Source: widespread in foods, especially whole grains and cereals, legumes,
chicken, fish, pork, eggs
Deficiency:
o Related to low intakes of all B vitamins
o Some drugs affecting the bioavailability and metabolism of
pyridoxine: oral contraceptives, isoniazid, penicillamine,
cycloserine, hydralazine
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, malabsorption
Toxicity: UL of 100 mg/day
o Megadose supplementation may cause ataxia and sensory
neuropathy
Folate (folic acid)
, Use: aids in protein metabolism and red blood cell formation and may reduce the
risk of neural tube birth defects
RDA: adults = 400 ug
Source: leafy green vegetables, legumes, some fruits, fortified cereal grains
Deficiency:
o Results in megaloblastic anemia, glossitis, diarrhea, irritability,
absentmindedness, depression, anxiety
o Drug-nutrient interactions: anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives,
aspirin
Risk factors
o Risk with conditions that increase cell division, limited food
intake and variety, and chronic excessive alcohol ingestion
Toxicity: UL of 1000 µg of folic acid
o Excess folate or folic acid intake not recommended or
warranted; may mask cobalamin deficiency
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Use: aids in the production of normal red blood cells as well as the maintenance
of the nervous system
RDA: adults = 2.4 ug
Source: only animal-derived foods (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy); Vegans must
supplement or use fortified products
Deficiency:
o Usually secondary
o Results in megaloblastic anemia or pernicious anemia
o Additional neurologic or neuropsychiatric effects
o Older adults at risk
o May be masked by folate levels
Toxicity: unkown
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Use: iron absorption and collagen synthesis, aids in wound healing and bone
formation while improving overall immune function
RDA: men = 9 mg women = 75mg smokers = 125mg
Source: fruits and vegetables; excellent sources include citrus fruits, red and
green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, green leafy
vegetables, fortified foods
Deficiency:
o Populations at risk for vitamin C deficiency: chronic alcohol and
illicit drug users, smokers, older adults
What are vitamins?
Organic molecules needed in very small amounts for cellular metabolism
Perform specific metabolic functions
Water Soluble Vitamins
o Dissolve in water & are readily available
o Not stored in our body
o Excess water-soluble vitamins are quickly excreted in urine. They do not accumulate and
become toxic
o Vitamin C taken in excess can cause diarrhea
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Use: helps to release energy from foods and is important in maintaining nervous
system function
RDA: men = 1.2 mg; women = 1.1 mg
Source: lean pork, whole or enriched grains and flours, legumes, seeds, nuts
Deficiency
o Ataxia (muscle weakness/loss of coordination) and tachycardia
(rapid heartbeat)
o Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a cerebral form
o Marginal: psychologic disturbances, headache, fatigue,
irritability
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, renal dialysis, parenteral nutrition, human
immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(HIV/AIDS), persistent vomiting (as in hyperemesis gravidarum),
anorexia nervosa, gastrectomy
Toxicity: nontoxic
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Use: promotes vision and healthy skin, converts amino acid tryptophan into
niacin
RDA: men = 1.3 mg; women = 1.1 mg
Source: milk, enriched grains and cereals, whole grains, vegetables, dairy, meats,
fish, poultry, eggs
Deficiency:
o Ariboflavinosis (sores in the mouth)
, o Cheilosis, glossitis, seborrheic dermatitis
Toxicity: nontoxic
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Use: aids in digestion, metabolism, and normal enzyme function, healthy skin and
nerves
RDA: men = 16 mg; women = 14 mg
Source: protein-containing foods (meats, poultry, fish, legumes, enriched cereals,
milk, coffee, tea
Deficiency:
The 3 Ds:
o Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal (GI) tract damage alters digestion,
absorption, and excretion, which leads to glossitis, vomiting, and
diarrhea.
o Dermatitis: only on skin exposed to sun.
o Dementia: In severe deficiencies, confusion, anxiety, insomnia,
and paranoia develop
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, malabsorption
Toxicity:
o vasodilation and flushing effect
o Monitor to prevent liver damage, gout, and arthritis
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Use: aids in protein metabolism and the production of red blood cell, insulin, and
hemoglobin
RDA: adults = 1.3 mg
Source: widespread in foods, especially whole grains and cereals, legumes,
chicken, fish, pork, eggs
Deficiency:
o Related to low intakes of all B vitamins
o Some drugs affecting the bioavailability and metabolism of
pyridoxine: oral contraceptives, isoniazid, penicillamine,
cycloserine, hydralazine
Risk factors
o Alcoholism, malabsorption
Toxicity: UL of 100 mg/day
o Megadose supplementation may cause ataxia and sensory
neuropathy
Folate (folic acid)
, Use: aids in protein metabolism and red blood cell formation and may reduce the
risk of neural tube birth defects
RDA: adults = 400 ug
Source: leafy green vegetables, legumes, some fruits, fortified cereal grains
Deficiency:
o Results in megaloblastic anemia, glossitis, diarrhea, irritability,
absentmindedness, depression, anxiety
o Drug-nutrient interactions: anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives,
aspirin
Risk factors
o Risk with conditions that increase cell division, limited food
intake and variety, and chronic excessive alcohol ingestion
Toxicity: UL of 1000 µg of folic acid
o Excess folate or folic acid intake not recommended or
warranted; may mask cobalamin deficiency
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Use: aids in the production of normal red blood cells as well as the maintenance
of the nervous system
RDA: adults = 2.4 ug
Source: only animal-derived foods (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy); Vegans must
supplement or use fortified products
Deficiency:
o Usually secondary
o Results in megaloblastic anemia or pernicious anemia
o Additional neurologic or neuropsychiatric effects
o Older adults at risk
o May be masked by folate levels
Toxicity: unkown
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Use: iron absorption and collagen synthesis, aids in wound healing and bone
formation while improving overall immune function
RDA: men = 9 mg women = 75mg smokers = 125mg
Source: fruits and vegetables; excellent sources include citrus fruits, red and
green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, green leafy
vegetables, fortified foods
Deficiency:
o Populations at risk for vitamin C deficiency: chronic alcohol and
illicit drug users, smokers, older adults
