PREFACE

THIS PROJECT DEALS WITH THE STUDY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF VITAMINS AND ITS
FUNCTIONS:

The different types of vitamins are as follows:

 Vitamin A
 Vitamin B1
 Vitamin B2 
 Vitamin B6
 Vitamin B12 
 Vitamin C 
 Vitamin D
 Vitamin E 
 Vitamin K 

We shall study the various functions and effects of Vitamins based on

their role in different biological processes and also understand their
deficiency diseases.
THEORY
It is a known fact that we require energy in order to perform different activities.  We
get these energies from the food we eat. Such chemical compounds that are
required in small amounts with our regular diet in order to carry out certain biological
functions and for the maintenance of our growth are called VITAMINS. The
deficiency of these compounds may cause diseases.

Classification of Vitamins:
Vitamins are generally classified as water-soluble vitamins and fat-
soluble vitamins.

1. Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's liver, fatty tissue, and
muscles. The four fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K.
These vitamins are absorbed more easily by the body in the presence of
dietary fat.

2. Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins in B-group and vitamin C are water-soluble and cannot be
stored in our bodies as they pass with the water in urine. These vitamins
must be supplied to our bodies with regular diets.
 VITAMIN A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble element, a powerhouse of antioxidants which plays a
pivotal role in all bodily functions. The active constituents of Vitamin A are of two
types:
 Preformed Vitamin A or retinoids (acquired from animal based food
sources)
 Provitamin A or carotenoids(found in plant based food sources)

FUNCTIONS:
Vitamin A is a blessing for us as it provides a wide range of benefits:
 Vitamin A is mainly used for our eye health by improving our vision and
treating night blindness, a condition where eyes are unable to perceive
anything under dim or poor light.
 Vitamin A helps in strengthening and remodelling the bones and maintains the
overall bone health.
 Vitamin A is of pivotal importance in maintaining the immune system of our
body. It helps in the production of white blood cells which in turn acts as a
shield and protects our body from any invasion of infections or germs.

FOOD SOURCES:
Vegetables which have a high content of Vitamin A mostly in the form of carotenoids
are:
Spinach & Green leafy vegetables, turnip, Carrot, tomatoes, sweet potato, pumpkin,
squash, zucchini, red pepper and other orange and yellow coloured vegetables, etc.

DEFICIENCIES:
Vitamin A deficiencies are very common due to lack of nutrition. The most common
disease that happens due to absence of Vitamin A is xeropthalmia or night blindness.
It may also reduce the growth and development of children and may risk the growth
of foetus in pregnant women.
Deficiency of Vitamin A may also make your body prone to infections and can cause
several health and skin disorders.
 VITAMIN B
Vitamins B are important for making sure the body’s cells are functioning properly.
They help the body convert food into energy (metabolism), create new blood cells,
and maintain healthy skin cells, brain cells, and other body tissues.

VITAMIN B1:
The heart, liver, kidney, and brain all contain high amounts of thiamin. The body needs
vitamin B1 for: Breaking down sugar (carbohydrate) molecules from food ,creating certain
neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), producing fatty acids, synthesizing certain hormones.

FOOD SOURCES:

Whole grains and fortified bread, cereal, pasta, and rice, Pork, Legumes, such as black
beans and soybean, seeds, nuts

SYMPTOMS OF B1 DEFFICIENCY: A person with a B1 deficiency may

experience:

 weight loss and little or no appetite

 memory problems or confusion

 heart problems

 tingling and numbness in the hands and feet

 loss of muscle mass and poor reflexes

VITAMIN B6:
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water so the
body cannot store them. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the
urine. Although the body maintains a small pool of water-soluble vitamins, they have
to be taken regularly.

FUNCTIONS:
Vitamin B6 helps the body to:
 Make antibodies. Antibodies are needed to fight many viruses, infections, and other
diseases.
 Maintain normal nerve function.

 Make haemoglobin. Haemoglobin carries oxygen in the red blood cells to the tissues.
A vitamin B6 deficiency can cause a form of anemia.
 Break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
 Keep blood sugar (glucose) in normal ranges.

FOOD SOURCES:
The richest sources of vitamin B6 include fish, beef liver and other organ meats,
potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (other than citrus).
In the United States, adults obtain most of their dietary vitamin B6 from fortified
cereals, beef, poultry, starchy vegetables, and some non-citrus fruits.

DEFICIENCY:
In adults, vitamin B6 deficiency can cause inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) and a
red, greasy, scaly rash. The hands and feet may feel numb and prickling—like pins and
needles.
The tongue may become sore and red, and cracks may form in the corners of the
mouth. People may become confused or irritable.

VITAMIN B12:
Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the
function and development of brain and nerve cells.
Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric
acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form.

FOOD SOURCES:

Beef, pork, ham, poultry, fish(especially tuna), dairy products, such as milk, cheese,
and yogurt, some nutritional yeast products.

DEFICIENCY:
B12 deficiency has been linked to an increased risk Of cognitive
impairment and depression. Insufficient vitamin B12 can also lead to anaemia. The
most common symptoms of anaemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, and an irregular
heartbeat. 

VITAMIN C
Vitamin C plays a role in controlling infections and healing wounds, and is a powerful
antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals. It is water soluble. Vitamins are
also known as ascorbic acid.

FUNCTIONS: These include:

 helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy

 maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
 helping with wound healing

FOOD SOURCES:

Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.

Good sources include:

 citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice

 peppers
 strawberries
 blackcurrants
 broccoli
 Brussels sprouts
 potatoes

DEFICIENCY:

Severe deficiency, called scurvy, causes bruising, gum and dental problems, dry hair
and skin, and anaemia. 
 VITAMIN D
FUNCTIONS:

Vitamin D which acts both as a nutrient and a hormone is a quintessential element

highly significant for a host of bodily functions thanks to its wide range of therapeutic
efficacies.

Calcium, being the building block of bones is absorbed by the body due to the
presence of Vitamin D which is extremely beneficial in the natural growth and
remodelling of bones. It reduces the risk of fracture, strengthen the bones, maintain
overall body balance and provides the body with a strong and perfect skeletal
structure.

FOOD SOURCES:

Although, you can get a healthy dose of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight,
some people do not get the required amount, due to less sun exposure or other
problems. But there is nothing to worry, as Mother Nature has blessed us with a
multitude of dietary choices which suffices the Vitamin D requirements of the body.

Some of the food sources which are an excellent source of Vitamin D are:

Vegetables like mushrooms – raw maltase mushrooms, dried shiitake mushrooms,

Portobello mushrooms, raw white mushrooms

Fortified foods like breakfast cereals, oatmeal, orange juice, soy milk, almond milk,
cow’s milk, nuts

Animal sources like egg yolk, cod liver oil, salmon, herring, tuna etc.

DEFICIENCIES:
If you shy away from the sunlight or have a very poor intake of Vitamin D, you might
be at the risk of Vitamin D deficiency. The sunshine vitamin plays a pivotal role in
promoting bone health and maintaining the overall immunity. Lack of Vitamin D
may result in various defects starting from low bone density to softening of bones
and impaired mineralization of bones.

These deficiencies lead to diseases like

Rickets: Rickets characterized by reduced growth and softening of bones. This

disease is generally seen in children due to lack of vitamin D.

Osteomalacia: Osteomalacia, similar to rickets but is usually seen in elderly people

suffering from vitamin D deficiency.

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis, being most common in elderly where the bone density
reduces, making it more porous in nature and causing increased risk of broken bone
and fractures.

Alopecia Areata: While many factors contribute to hair loss, nutrient deficiency is one
of them. A steep decrease in low Vitamin D levels causes Alopecia Areata, an
autoimmune disease characterized by severe hair loss.
 VITAMIN E
Vitamin E, the fat-soluble antioxidant is a highly significant vitamin that is exclusively
obtained from diet and supplements. Each of these are further subdivided into alpha
α, beta β, gamma γ and delta δ classes.

Vitamin E plays a key role in scavenging free radicals which may potentially harm the
cells, tissues and various organs of the body.

FUNCTIONS:

Being one of the essential fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin E is extremely beneficial in the
healthy functioning of bodily organs. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.

Various scientific studies strongly suggest vitamin E being highly significant in

managing diabetes, preventing and treating heart problems including high blood
pressure, heart attack, chest pain and hardening of the arteries.

Vitamin E used in the form of oil, serum or supplement acts as a skin battalion and
helps to shield the skin against various skin problems including inflammation, skin
ageing and sun damage.

Vitamin E is the key ingredient for a healthy scalp and nourished hair. It also reduces
oxidative stress and prevents hair fall.

FOOD SOURCES:

Here are a few food sources that are abundant in vitamin E:

Green Leafy Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, tomato, turnip, olives, avocados, green
beans, bell peppers etc.

Fruits like mango, raspberry, cranberry and kiwi, nuts like almond, hazelnut, peanut,
brazil nuts, filberts etc.

Fortified foods like cereals, fruit juices, spreads, margarines etc.

Plants Oils like sunflower oil, corn oil, wheat germ oil, soya bean oil, safflower oil etc.
and Animal sources like herring, tuna, sardines etc.

DEFICIENCIES:

Vitamin E being an excellent source of antioxidant has multitude of benefits. Rarely

observed, but continuous lack of this vitamin may cause severe fatalities.

Dysarthria: This is a speech disorder caused due to a neural injury of the motor
component in the brain resulting in difficulty to pronounce words.

Myopathy: A muscular problem where the muscle fibres do not function smoothly

Retinopathy: An eye disease which is caused due to the abnormal flow of blood to
the retina of the eye leading to impaired vision.

Haemolytic Anaemia: A blood disorder in people already suffering from anaemia.

 VITAMIN K
Vitamin K derived from the German word “Koagulations vitamin” is an essential fat-
soluble vitamin used for blood clotting in case of cuts, abrasions or injuries. It is the
key element required by the body to produce prothrombin, a clotting factor
necessary for blood coagulation.

FUNCTIONS:

A natural remedy for congealing the blood, the K vitamin has multitude of health
benefits including alleviating the vitamin k deficiency syndromes, improving cognitive
and bone health and lowering heart ailments.

Vitamin K has also been known to be highly essential in improving dental health.

Some cases also show the use of vitamin K to improve the memory and cognitive
health in older individuals. It is used to blood cholesterol in people on dialysis.

Several studies suggest regular consumption of this vitamin reduce the chances of
liver and breast cancer.

FOOD SOURCES:

The ample number of dietary sources provided by Mother Nature is adequate enough
to fulfil one’s requirement of the K vitamin.

Given below are the food sources which are loaded with vitamin K:
Green Vegetables: parsley, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc.

Fruits: Kiwi, avocado, blueberry, etc.

Dairy Sources: cheese, milk and yogurt.

Other Sources: Fermented foods like natto, miso, sauerkraut, eggs and meat.

DEFICIENCIES:

Although rarely observed, vitamin K deficiency generally occurs when the body
cannot absorb it from the intestines or due to long term treatment with antibiotics.
People suffering from this particular deficiency may exhibit bruising and bleeding.

Coagulopathy: A fatal bleeding disorder where the blood’s potency of coagulation is

hindered resulting in excessive bleeding during any surgery or procedure.

Anaemia: A blood disorder marked by decrease in the number of red blood cells and
haemoglobin count, thus, lowering the ability of transporting oxygen throughout the
body.

Haematoma: A condition characterized by localized bruising outside the blood vessels

due to injury or trauma or due to oozing of blood from the damaged capillaries.

Petechia: A skin condition due to broken capillaries resulting in red or purple spots on
the affected part.

Cartilage Calcification: Vitamin K is vital for activating Vitamin-K dependent protein

called matrix Gla protein present in bone and cartilages.

Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding or VKDB occurs when

new born babies bleed profusely as their blood does not have enough Vitamin K to
form a clot.

Obstructive Jaundice: Bile ducts are thin tubes that allow the bile to go from the liver
and gallbladder into the small intestine.