8: Vitamins
- Page ID
- 156622
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Vitamins are organic compounds found in plant- and animal-derived foods that are essential for health. Vitamins are considered micronutrients, as they are required in small amounts to support a wide range of physiological processes. Unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, vitamins do not provide energy (kilocalories), but they are crucial in helping the body convert food into energy and in supporting functions like immunity, vision, blood clotting, and tissue repair. Each vitamin has specific roles and is essential — they must be obtained from the diet, as the body either cannot produce them at all or cannot produce them in sufficient quantities to meet physiological needs.
Vitamins are generally classified into two groups: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K), which are stored in the body's fatty tissues, and water-soluble (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C), which circulate easily through the body and are excreted in urine if not used (Table 8.1). This chapter explores the unique functions, dietary sources, deficiency symptoms, and potential toxicities of each vitamin, highlighting their importance in maintaining overall health and preventing disease.
- 8.1: Fat-Soluble Vitamins
- This page discusses the essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, emphasizing their roles in health, sources, absorption, and potential toxicity. Vitamin A is vital for vision and immune function, while Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health, with sunlight as a synthesis source. Vitamin E protects cells, and Vitamin K is key for blood clotting, especially in infants, where deficiency risks lead to serious conditions.
- 8.2: Water-Soluble Vitamins
- This page provides an overview of the nine essential water-soluble vitamins, focusing on their biological roles, absorption, and dietary sources. Key vitamins include B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and C, which function as coenzymes, contribute to energy metabolism, and are crucial for health. Deficiencies can lead to serious health issues like beriberi, pellagra, and megaloblastic anemia. Vitamin C, noted for its antioxidant properties, is important for collagen synthesis and immune support.
- 8.3: Food Fortification and Enrichment
- This page discusses food fortification and enrichment as vital public health strategies that enhance nutrition and prevent deficiencies. It explains that fortification adds essential nutrients to food, while enrichment restores lost nutrients. Important nutrients highlighted include vitamins and minerals like thiamin and iron.
- 8.4: Chapter 8 References
- This page provides a compilation of authoritative sources and publications on dietary guidelines and micronutrients, particularly vitamins A, D, E, K, B6, B12, and C. It includes CDC data on spina bifida and NIH resources on osteoporosis, aimed at equipping professionals and the public with vital nutritional information for health and energy.