VITAMINS
• “Vitamin” = “Vital Amines” means vital for life
• Vitamins are essential Micronutrients (Nutrients required in very
small amounts - µg not mg)
• What are Vitamins ?
, Vitamins: general characteristic
• Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and animals and
known as essential nutrients for human, that must be included in
every day diet .
• Structure : Individual Units . NOT linked together – i.e. NOT
building blocks like for glucose.
• Amounts needed : Measured in micrograms or milligrams, not
grams.
• Not an energy source and are necessary for everyday healthy
functioning of the body.
• Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in human tissues. Their
excess is excreted with urine.
• Significant amounts of fat soluble vitamins can be stored in
adipose tissue and the liver.
,• Function :
➢ Regulate metabolism
➢ Help convert energy in fat, carbohydrate, and protein into
ATP
➢ Promote growth and reproduction
• Destroyed by
➢ Water-soluble vitamins can be destroyed by
– Exposure to air
– Exposure to ultraviolet light
– Water
– Changes in pH
– Heat
– Food preparation techniques
➢ Fat-soluble vitamins tend to be more stable
,
• “Vitamin” = “Vital Amines” means vital for life
• Vitamins are essential Micronutrients (Nutrients required in very
small amounts - µg not mg)
• What are Vitamins ?
, Vitamins: general characteristic
• Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and animals and
known as essential nutrients for human, that must be included in
every day diet .
• Structure : Individual Units . NOT linked together – i.e. NOT
building blocks like for glucose.
• Amounts needed : Measured in micrograms or milligrams, not
grams.
• Not an energy source and are necessary for everyday healthy
functioning of the body.
• Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in human tissues. Their
excess is excreted with urine.
• Significant amounts of fat soluble vitamins can be stored in
adipose tissue and the liver.
,• Function :
➢ Regulate metabolism
➢ Help convert energy in fat, carbohydrate, and protein into
ATP
➢ Promote growth and reproduction
• Destroyed by
➢ Water-soluble vitamins can be destroyed by
– Exposure to air
– Exposure to ultraviolet light
– Water
– Changes in pH
– Heat
– Food preparation techniques
➢ Fat-soluble vitamins tend to be more stable
,
