Vitamins
It was invented by FG Hopkins.However ,the term Vitamin was coined by C Funk.
These are divided into two groups:
Fat soluble vitamins,viz.vitamin-A,D,E and K
Water soluble vitamin viz.vitamin-B and C
Vitamin D is synthesised in our skin by the action of ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Vitamin,their Deficiency Disease and Sources
| Vitamin | Chemical Names | Deficiency Disease | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin-A | Ratinol carotenoids | Night-blindness,Hyperkeratosis,Keratomalacia, | Orange,green vegetables,carrots,pumpkin,squash,and spinach |
| Vitamin-D | Calciferol | Rickets and Osteomalacia | Fish,eggs,liver and mushrooms |
| Vitamin-E | Tocopherols,tocotrienpls | Less fertility | Many fruits and vegetables |
| Vitamin-K | Phylloquinone, | Non-clotting of blood | Green vegetables |
| Vitamin-B1 | Thiamine | Beriberi,Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome | Oatmeal,rice,vegetables,cauliflower,potato,liver and eggs. |
| Vitamin-B2 | Riboflavin | Cracking of skin,reddish eye,cracking of tongue | Dairy products,bananas,popcorn,and green beans. |
| Vitamin-B3 | Niacin or nicotinic acid | Pellagera,Glossitis | Meat,broccoli,avocados |
| Vitamin-B5 | Pentothenic acid | Premature graying of hair,Burning feet syndrome | meat,fish ,eggs,many vegetables,mushrooms and tree nuts |
| Vitamin-B6 | Pirodoxine | Abnormal protein metabolism | Meat,vegetables,tree nuts and banana |
| Vitamin-B7 | Biotin | Dermatitis enteritis and anaemia | Raw egg yolk,liver,peanuts and vegetables. |
| Vitamin-B9 | Folic acid,folinic acid | Megaloblast and in pregnant birth degects,such as neural tube defect | Leafy vegetables,pasta,bread,cereal and liver |
| Vitamin-B12 | Cyanocobalamin | Pernicious anaemia | Meat and other animal products |
| Vitamin-C | Ascorbic acid | Scurvy | Peppers,citrus fruits and sprouts. |
Mineral Nutrients
These are metals,non-metals and their salts other than the four elements-carbon,hydrogen,nitrogen and oxygen and constitute about 4% of total body weight.
Minerals are of two types :
1.Macronutrients: These are required in large amount,e.g.,calcium(Ca)Phosphorus(P),Potassium(K),etc.
2.Micronutrients: These are required in very small amount(less than 1 g)e.g.,iodine(I),iron(Fe),zinc(Zn) etc.
Minerals and their function in the body
| Mineral | Major Food Sources | Needed for | Deficiency Disease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium(C) | Milk,Cheese,Bread and Vegetables | Muscle contraction ,nerve action,blood clotting and the formation of bone | Tetany and Rickets |
| Phosphorous(P) | Cheese,Eggs,Pea Nuts and most Foods | Bone and tooth formation ,energy transfer from foods DNA,RNA,and ATP formation. | Tetany and Rickets |
| Potassium(K) | Potatoes,Meat and Chocolate | muscle contraction,nerve action and active transport | Nervous disorder ,a poor muscles leading to paralysis |
| Iron(Fe) | Liver,Kidney,Red meat,Cocoa powder and water -cress | Formation of Haemoglobin,Mioglobin and Cytochromes | Anaemia and low immunity |
| Fluorine(F) | Water Supplies,Tea,Sea food,Meat,Liver and Beans | Resistance to tooth decay | Weak teeths causes motting of teeths |
| Iodine(I) | Seafood,Iodized salt and fish | Thyroxine production | Goitre |
| Cobalt(Co) | Meat and Yeast | Synthesis of Vitamin-B12 formation of Red Blood Cells | Anaemia |
Water
About 70% of the human body consists of water.Two -third of water exists inside cells ,the other one-third is outside the cells in tissue fluid and blood plasma.It is essential for digestion,transportation,excretion and to regulate body temterature.
