What is the purpose of vitamins?
Help the body use energy, build tissue, and maintain overall health
What are fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E, K
Vit A Purpose
Retinol
Purpose: Vision
Bone Growth
Epithelial Tissue-lines organs/passageways
ANTIOXIDANTPurpose
Bone Metabolism
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Purpose and SourcesProtect integrity of cell membranes, antioxidant
Sources: sunflower and safflower oils, nuts
What are organic and essential vitamins?
Organic- come from living substances
Essential- body can’t make them
Needed in small amounts
Water Soluble Vitamins
C, H
B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12
Vit A Sources
Liver
Fish Liver Oils
Organ Meats
Yellow, Orange, Red fruits and veggies
Sources
Sunglight
Oily Fish
Mushrooms
Milk
Sunlight is key! Needs to be absorbed through the skin
Vit E Deficiency/Excess
Deficiency: Neuropathy, Ataxia, Retionpathy
Excess: Gi Symptoms, Bleeding ( Vit K)
How are they measured?
In Mg, Mcg, or International Units
International Units-measures the potency of a drug
Do not dissolve in H2)
Stored in the liver and adipose tissue
Storage increases risk to reach toxic levelVit A Deficiency
Night Blindness
Deficiency
Children-Rickets
Adults- OsteoporosisVulnerable populations of Vit E Deficiency
Premature Infants
Cystic Fibrosis (fat malabsorption)What are Antioxidants?
Reduce damage by free radicals
Prevent deficiency diseases
Carrots, garlic,lemon, walnuts, green tea, turmeric
How long does it take for a deficiency to present?
Can be months to years for a fat soluble vit deficiency to present itself
Liver Failure
Fetal Malformations
Carotenemia
Excess
Unlikely
Anorexia, N/VCalcium deposits in Heart, kidney, brain
Vit K Purpose and Sources
P: blood clotting, antidote for Coumadin, Bone Metabolism
S: intestinal synthesis, green leafy vegetablesIntestinal bacteria produces Vit K that out bodies can absorb and utilize
What are free radicals?
UV light
Air pollutionIonizing radiation
Smoking
Metabolism
Inflammation
Digestion and Fat Soluble Vits
Require bile to be emulsified prior to digestion
People with fat digestion disorders may develop fat soluble vitamin deficiencies
Vulnerable Population of Vit A Deficiency
Chronic Kidney disease
Acute Protein deficiency
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Vulnerable populations to have a deficiency
Insufficient sunlight exposure
Obese individuals
Breastfeed only babies w/o supplementsVit K Deficiency/ Excess
Vulnerable populations
To much: interferes with anticoagulant effect of coumadin
Vulnerable: Newborns (no bacteria in GI System)
Adults who avoid green leafy vegetables
Long-term antibiotic therapy