Dr.

Hamzeh ALZABADI 20/02/2018 1

 Vitamins are micronutrients, which are very much
essential for growth and for metabolism
maintenance

Dr. Hamzeh ALZABADI 20/02/2018 2

 Vitamins are classified into two types – based on
their solubility.

 They are:

1. Water soluble vitamins: Vitamin ‘B’ complex

and Vitamin ‘C’

2. Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E and K

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 Water soluble vitamins
 Vitamin B Complex is group of Vitamins.

 It contains –

a) Thiamine – B1 e) Cyanocobalamin – B12

b) Riboflavin – B2 f) Folic acid- B-9
c) Niacin - B3 g) Pantothenic acid- B-5
d) Pyridoxine – B6 h) Biotin- B-7 or H

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Thiamine-Vitamin –B1
 It is needed for the activity of some of the
enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism.

 Deficiency disease - Beri-Beri.

 In this disease, the calf muscles become tender,
vomiting, tremors, convulsions, loss of appetite are
seen.

 Sources: Cereals like wheat, oil seeds, milk, meat,

fish.

 Please consider
reviewing the
pathophysiology of
thiamine deficiency!?

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RIBOFLAVIN-Vitamin-B2

 Functions: essential for oxidation reduction reactions in the cell and

in cellular respiration and good for healthy hair and nails

 Sources: milk, eggs, fish, liver, kidney and green leafy vegetables.

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency of riboflavin result in Glossitis

 Mouth cracks at corners.
 Photophobia, scaly skin and watering of eyes are some of the
symptoms.

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NIACIN-Vitamin B3

 Functions: important for the metabolism of

carbohydrates, proteins and fats (reduce cholestrol)
 required for the synthesis of sex hormones
 Sources: kidney, liver, meat, poultry fish, legumes
and groundnuts.
 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency of niacin in diet
result a disease called Pellagra. The symptoms of
pellagra are diarrhea, dementia (loss of memory)
patches on the body when exposed to sunlight
(dermatitis) .

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Pyridoxine-Vitamin-B6

 Functions: plays an important role in the

metabolism of amino acids.

 Sources: milk, liver, meat, egg yolk, fish,

cereals, legumes and vegetables.

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency lead to hyper

irritability, anaemia, nausea and in children it
leads to convulsions.

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Folic Acid-B9

 Sources: liver, meat, eggs, milk, fruits, cereals,

and leafy vegetables over cooking of food
destroys the folic acid
 Functions :
 required for the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA
and RNA).
 required for the development of blood cells in
the bone marrow.
 Cancer protection
 Deficiency Symptoms: Its deficiency causes
Macrocytic anemia, diarrhoea
 In pregnant women can lead to birth defects

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Cyano cobalamin-Vitamin B12

Functions:
Helps the nervous system and stimulates the growth
and appetite in children
Sources :
 Fish, poultry, eggs …etc..animal sources only

Deficiency diseases :
Deficiency of this vitamin causes pernicious anemia that is
different from other types of anaemia.

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Pantothenic acid- B5

 Functions:
 Important for healthy skin and nerves, supports the
production of acetylcholine (a nerve transmitting agent)
 Sources:
 Fresh vegetables, liver, kidney, yeast, egg yolk,
meat, ground nuts etc.
 Deficiency
 leads to burning sensation in feet and muscle cramps

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Biotin-B7 or H

 Functions: Maintain growth (hair and nails) and

neurological functions

 Sources: Beans, breads, chocolate, nuts,

vegetables, liver and kidney.

 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency leads to

muscle pains, fatigue, disorders in the nervous
system and mental depression.

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Vitamin C – Ascorbic Acid

 Sources: fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes. Citrus

fruit are the richest source of this vitamin. Guava is another
cheap and rich source of Vitamin C.

 Functions
-plays an important role in tissue oxidation reactions (Anti-
oxidant), and stimulation of immune system
-It is required for the formation of collagen which is required
for the formation of blood vessels, connective tissue,
cartilage and dentine of teeth.
-Vitamin C also helps in the absorption and storage of iron.
-This Vitamin is also required for normal growth, tissue
repair, healing of wounds and fracture of bone.

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 Deficiency disease- SCURVY:
Nutritional disorder due to the deficiency of
Vitamin ‘C’.
The symptoms of this disease are swelling of
gums, bleeding from gums and the joints
and under the skin. It is preventable by
providing the
diet that is
rich with
Vitamin-‘C’.

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vitamin - A

Vitamin – D

Vitamin – E

Vitamin - K

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Vitamin – A: Retinol.
 Also called Anti-xeropthalmic Vitamin

 Sources - Liver, eggs, butter, whole milk,

fish, meat, oils extracted from fishes such as
cod liver oil and shark liver oil

 In plants vitamin ‘A’ is present in the form of

a carotene and it is converted into vitamin ‘A’
in our body

 In green leafy vegetable, carrots, tomato, and

fruits like mango

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 Deficiency of vitamin A: Deficiency leads to a variety of disorders
of the eyes and this affect the vision, some of the disorders are:

 1)Night blindness

 2)Xeropthalmia (or) Dry eyes: The lacrimal glands in the eyes

do not produce tears. The conjunctiva (or) the outer most
layer of the eye becomes dry

 3)The cornea becomes soft : this leads to the loss of vision

and permanent blindness - the major cause of blindness in
children.
 4) In addition, it is good for healthy skin and lower risk of
cancer (anti-oxidant), also important for growth and tissue
healing.

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Vitamin ‘D’: Calciferol
 Function - It helps in the absorption of Ca & P by the intestine and
its deposition on the bones. It also has anti-inflammatory effect?!
 Sources: Foods of animal origin such as liver, egg yolk, butter, oils
extracted from the livers of fishes such as cod and shark. A rich
source of Vitamin ‘D’ is sun light by the Ultra Violet rays of sunlight
through conversion of cholesterol derivative in our body into Vitamin
‘D’.
 Deficiency of vitamin ‘D’ leads to bone deformities
such as Rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis

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VITAMIN-E: Tocopherol

Vitamin-E is also called or Anti-sterility Vitamin.

 Functions: required for the normal functioning of sex

organs, Anti-oxidant, reduces cardiovascular disease
 Sources: fruits, vegetables, seeds, meat, egg yolk, sunflower
oil.
 Deficiency disorders: Deficiency leads to sterility in males
and abortions in females and also reduces the life span or
R.B.C.
 Deficiency also linked to acne, infections and Alzheimer’s
disease

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VITAMIN-K: phylloquinone, phytomenadione,
or phytonadione (Vit K1)—naturally occurring in
plants
Also called coagulation Vitamin.
Vit K2 is also naturally occurring but also bacteria
and gut flora can convert k1 to k2.

 Functions: activity in production of blood

clotting proteins (required for blood clotting).

 Sources: green leafy vegetables and in cow milk, in

man this vitamin is synthesized by the bacteria
present in the intestines.
 Deficiency disorders: results in longer time for the
blood to clot (bleeding).

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 Vitamins are very sensitive to heat. Over
cooking leads to destruction of its chemical
nature

 Excess intake of antibiotics, destroy useful

bacteria in our intestine, further leads to
vitamin B 12 deficiency.

 Consuming highly polished rice, leads to

vitamin B1 deficiency.

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 Part of living tissue
 Don’t contain any calories but assist in the
production of energy
 Can’t be synthesized but some vitamins can be
 Should be obtained from diet
 Deficiency of some macrominerals can lead to
serious health problems
 Many minerals are found in water itself

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Macrominerals:
 Examples: Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium,
Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur and
Silicon

Microminerals:
 Examples: Chromium, Copper, Fluorine,
Iodine, Iron, Zinc

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  Calcium:
1. Sources: Milk, green-leafy vegetables, almonds,
hazelnuts.
2. Functions: For the development and
maintenance of bones and teeth, required for
muscle contraction, play a vital role in nerve
transmission.
3. Deficiency: Tooth loss, gingivitis, osteomalaecia
(softening of the bones).

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  Chloride:
1. Sources: Standard table salt, sea foods.
2. Functions: Maintains and generates the
osmotic pressure of the body fluids.
3. Deficiency: metabolic alkalosis (body fluids
become too alkaline).

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  Magnesium:
1. Sources: Vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds
2. Functions: A natural tranquilizer, prevents
coronary artery spasms.
3. Deficiency: Anorexia, insomnia, confusion.

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  Phosphorus:
1. Sources: Meat, fish, chicken, milk, eggs.
2. Functions: Bone formation, vital for energy
production and exchange, helps kidney
function and muscle contraction.
3. Deficiency: Anorexia, weight loss, bone pain,
osteoporosis, arthritis.

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  Potassium:
1. Sources: green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits,
fish, meat, whole grains.
2. Functions: Aids in the conduction of nerve
impulses, normal growth and muscle building.
3. Deficiency: depression, heart failure, vomiting,
muscle weakness.

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  Sodium:
1. Sources: Seafood, beef, carrots, artichokes.
2. Functions: Regulates fluid balance in the body.
3. Deficiency: vomiting, diarrhea.

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  Sulphur:
1. Sources: Meats, eggs, milk, legumes, onions
and garlic
2. Functions: Cellular respiration, protein
synthesis, maintains skin, hair, and nails. The
insulin hormone is a sulphur compound
3. Deficiency symptoms: acne, nerve disorders,
migraines, muscle pain, inflammation and free
radical damage.

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  Silicon:
1. Sources: Wheat, avocadoes.
2. Functions: Promotes firmness and strength in
the tissues.
3. Deficiency: May increase heart diseases.

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  Chromium:
1. Sources: Legumes, whole grains, cereals,
meats.
2. Function: It helps in the glucose metabolism.
3. Deficiency: May result into the onset of adult
diabetes.

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  Copper:
1. Sources: Meat, drinking water.
2. Function: It helps in the formation of red blood
cells.
3. Deficiency: Damages bone and nervous tissue
development and also found to be a cause of
anemia.

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  Fluorine:
1. Sources: Seafood, drinking water.
2. Function: Helps against tooth decay and
maintains bone structure.
3. Deficiency: Tooth decay, Osteoporosis.

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  Iodine:
1. Sources: Dairy products, vegetables, iodized
salt.
2. Function: It is the main component of thyroid
hormone.
3. Deficiency: Causes goiter.

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  Iron:
1. Sources: Legumes, green leafy vegetables,
meats, whole grain, and eggs.
2. Function: helps in the formation of hemoglobin
in blood.
3. Deficiency: Anemia (iron deficiency aneamia).

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  Zinc:
1. Sources: Whole-grain breads, seafood, dried
beans and meat
2. Function: It is a component of many enzymes
included in various processes such as digestion,
sexual reproduction and repairing of cells.
3. Deficiency: Depresses growth, diarrhea,
impotence and delayed sexual maturation,
alopecia, eye and skin lesions

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 Food is the key for growth and development
 Infant nutrition is basically mother’s milk
 Breastfeeding is the best for mother and baby:
 Stimulates uterine contractions
 Reduces post-partum bleeding
 Brings uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size
 Provides a bond for both mother and the
infant (a bond of love)

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 It contains all anti-bodies needed for the
protection of the infant
 Breast milk has more iron, vit. A, C,
amino-acids, niacin and potassium

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 Mother should take supplements like the B
vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium
 At sixth months: feeding solid (pureed and
natural) foods
 Sweet and salty foods should be avoided
 From 7-8 months: boiled potatoes and some
vegetables
 From 9-12 months: serious feeding can be done

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 Contraindications to breastfeeding:
1. Galactosaemia in infant
2. Mother uses illegal drugs
3. Mother has active untreated TB
4. Mother has HIV
5. Mother has undergon therapy:
radioisotopes, cancer chemotherapy…etc

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 Children from 2-3 years: should also be
given nutritious food
 Get adapted the child to have healthy diet
habits (not easy, you should be creative)
 Nutritious food:
vegetables/legumes/meat..etc
 Give them balanced diet
 Avoid chocolates, chips…etc

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 For maximum energy: give them hot
whole-grain cereal breakfast in the
morning
 Add additional nutritional supplements to
child diet (e.g., chewable tablets or
powdered formulas) to make sure he/she is
not deficient in any nutrient

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 Food problems are mostly associated with
teenagers as they eat what they want
 They go for fast foods: deprived from proper
nutrition
 They may over-eat: obesity associated mainly
with teens and adult
 Obesity: irregular and wrong eating habits
 Obesity: lack of physical activity

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 More processed foods than whole foods:
deficiencies
 Teenage girl: 2000-2300 calories/day
 Teenage boy: 2600-3000 calories/day

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 Adult male: should consume foods that are high
in protein content like eggs, dairy products and
chicken
 Adult female: need iron and their consumption
of nutrient in pregnancy is doubled
 Pregnant women should eat healthy and good
food to support fetal development
 Pregnant women consumption of protein,
calcium, iron, zinc, and folic acid must be
doubled

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 Eggs, fish, poultry, wheat, whole grains, nuts,
seeds and green leafy vegetables are healthy
food sources for a pregnant woman to prevent
her from dietary deficiencies
 Pregnant women: should eat diet high in fiber
to prevent constipation
 During the lactation: she should consume at
least 3 liters of fluid every day including milk,
fruit juices and water

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 Bone loss is a problem faced by women. Diet
rich in calcium, vit D can prevent this problem
 Healthy diet with exercice can delay the onset
of menopause
 People over 65 years (elderly): regular timely
meals, a low fat, high protein and high fiber
diet, exercise and nutritional supplements
 An elderly man: 1900-2600 calories/day
 An elderly woman: 1600-2200 calories/day

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Please refer to the principle book
in this course, pages 24-42, for
further readings
!!!

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