SUBMITTED TO: DR. NOSHEEN SUMITTED BY: MARIYAM ALI REG. NO. : 10237 SEMESTER: 1 MS. BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
VITAMIN & THEIR FUNCTIONS
VITAMIN:
Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for the body, they are needed in small amounts to function properly. They work in a variety of ways, mostly as "helpers." Likewise, mostly of the B vitamins help the body use protein, carbohydrate, and fats.
Categories:
Vitamins are divided into two categories:
• Water-soluble vitamins include all the B vitamins and vitamin C. These vitamins travel freely through the body (such as
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It is also important for nerve function.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2):
• This enzyme is needed for energy metabolism.
It is important for normal vision and skin health.
Niacin (vitamin B3):
• This vitamin is needed for energy metabolism, also important in maintaining good health of nervous system, digestive system, and skin health.
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6):
• Its functions is needed for protein metabolism, it also helps making red blood cells.
3. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is helps the immune system in preventing infections and maintains a healthy immune system. It helps the body absorb iron. Iron is an important component that carries oxygen through blood cells in our body.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect our cells from free radicals in the body. It creates collagen,that is necessary for wounds to heal.
• People who get little to no vitamin C may develop scurvy, that can cause depression and anemia,though it is rare.
4. Vitamin D:
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the body, which is important for bone health and development as you grow. It also helps reduce inflammation and benefits your immune system. It is needed for proper absorption of calcium; stored in
- Helps decreases inflammation in the body, which helps to prevent diseases, build a strong immune system, and treat current disease
In 2011, the University Of Minnesota took women who take vitamins daily and studied them(Offit, Paul., 2013). The result was the same in that there was no supporting evidence that favors Pauling’s claims and statements. In conclusion, the general public believed the words of a man who had no specific evidence to support his own claims over researches done by trusted establishments who had evidence towards their own claims against Linus Pauling. Vitamin D is essential in many aspects especially during growth periods such as adolescents and infancy as indicated by Winston Koo and Nitin Walyat who are the respective authors of “Vitamin D and Skeletal Growth and Development”. Vitamin D is essential for the body as it helps development organ cells; without the development of organ cells, the body cannot fight against harsh diseases and it will eventually cause severe diseases which can lead to delayed growth rate(Koo, Winston ., 2013, p.188).. Children who drink breast milk are more prone to vitamin D deficiency because breast milk does not contain as many vitamins as mineral (Koo,
Therefore, extensive research was carried on for the maximum protection of vitamin C maintaining the stability, pH sensitivity and permeation to the skin.
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit and their juices are rich in vitamin C. Broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes are rich with Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is rare. For those people who do not get enough vitamin C, they result with Vitamin C deficiency, which means lacking of sufficient amount of vitamin C in diet. Overtime, lacking of vitamin C cause the inability to form new collagen. This causes breaking down various tissues in our bodies, which affects tissues' repair and health. Scurvy is one of the serious disease that comes out with vitamin C deficiency. This disease causes various tissues sign and symptoms such as: fatigue, inflammation of the gums, small red or purple spots on the skin, joint pain, poor wound healing, corkscrew hairs, swelling , bleeding gums and loosening or loss of teeth is an example. Also, Rickets, Beriberi and Pellagra are names of diseases that caused by lack of vitamin
On the other hand, excess lack of Vitamin A may lead to hair loss, enlarged spleen, liver damage, increase risk of bone fractures and growth retardation.
Classically, vitamin D deficiency is known for its effects on bone, causing reduced mineralization, rickets and osteomalacia.[1, 3] However, many new roles of vitamin D have recently come to light, with more consequences attributed to its’ deficiency.[1] Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly associated with infectious diseases like tuberculosis, and non communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.[1, 6, 8–11]
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
Vitamin E in all its forms, functions predominantly as an antioxidant by protecting cells from free radicals in the body. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant by donating a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group to a free radical within the body. Vitamin E also plays a role in immune system function and protects cell membranes and regulation of gene expression. Vitamin E has been studied to uncover other medical usages, including prevention or treatment of many health conditions [1].
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is needed for growth and maintenance of healthy tissues, especially skin, blood vessels, bones, gums, teeth. Vitamin C aids in resistance against infection and healing of wounds. It also helps the body absorb iron from food. Vitamin C can be found in green vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon. A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, iron deficiency and poor wound healing. A healthy diet should include a high amount of vitamin C because the human body cannot produce its own vitamin C.
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
Vitamin B-12 is essential for energy production as well as influencing the way your body uses carbohydrates.
Vitamin D is a necessary component for calcium absorption to prevent boss loss. Nutritionally our body can create vitamin D by sun exposure however many factors can prevent our bodies to create vitamin D such as using sunblock or not getting enough sun exposer from daily routine. Vitamin D can be found in many foods that we such as milk including almond milk, eggs yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. Other vitamins that can help prevent bone loss are vitamin A and C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps reduce oxidative stress which can have a negative effect on the cells in the body. This helps protect against inflammation which takes away calcium from the bones. Vitamin C can be found in many foods such as papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, strawberries, pineapples, oranges and kiwifruit and fruit juices have supplement vitamins. Vitamin A is important for bone growth, vision, cell division and cell differentiation. There are two different forms of vitamin A are retinol and beta-carotene. Retinol can be found in meat, poultry, fish and dairy products while beta-carotene can be found in fruits, vegetables and
If we continue to eat unhealthy it can cause some huge problems in the future. When eating unhealthy you have less vitamins in your system, which can cause some severe diseases. One is the lack in vitamin C can cause a disease called Scurvy. Early Symptoms of Scurvy are weakness, feeling tired, and sore muscles. Later it causes decrease in red blood cells, gum disease, and bleeding from the skin.
Vitamins, a group of organic substances required in our diets in small amounts for growth and nutrition, are usually found in foodstuffs or taken as supplements. Yet vitamins probably present a wider gap between myth and reality in the layman's understanding than almost any other area of our diet. Surveys have found that while a majority of Americans do take vitamin supplements on a regular or occasional basis for reason of health concerns, there exists enormous confusion about the actual purpose and benefits of this practice ("Use of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the United States," 1990:161). Most people have a recognition that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, that Vitamin A is found in fish-liver oils, or that Vitamin D is found in dairy products; many people believe that Vitamin E preserves youth and prevents sterility, or that Vitamin C can present colds and cancer. Beyond this, however, there is still considerable ignorance and widespread myth.
The nutrients we get from eating fruits and vegetables are also very important in our daily diet. When we eat anything we get nutrients from it, but the question is are we eating too much? Too much of a good thing can be bad! The different vitamins have many different purposes, vitamin A keeps the eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps your teeth and gums healthy.