Transcript Unit 20
Unit 4 Seminar
HW205
Vitamin Classifications and
Your Health
Learning Objectives
Understand the primary uses of the water soluble
vitamins.
Learn the purpose and benefits of supplementing
with these vitamins.
Be able to identify food sources of the nutrient.
Know the RDA level along with common dosages and
forms of supplementation that are commonly used.
Understand the potential safety and precaution
issues.
Focus of Seminar
Review of basic foundation concepts
related to vitamins
Review of fat soluble vitamins
Review of water soluble vitamins
Discussion of vitamin classifications
according to function
True or False
The only documented benefit of
consuming sufficient amounts of
vitamins is protection against deficiency
diseases.
Answer
False
For many vitamins, intake levels above
those known to prevent disease help
protect us from certain cancers, heart
disease, and other disorders.
True or False
Vitamins provide energy.
Answer
False.
Only carbs, fats, and proteins provide
energy. However, some vitamins are
needed to convert the energy from food
into energy the body can use.
True or False
Vitamin C is found only in citrus fruits.
Answer
False.
Green peppers, collards, broccoli,
strawberries, and a number of other fruits
are also a good source of Vitamin C.
True or False
Nearly all cases of illness due to
excessive intake of vitamins result from
the overuse of vitamin supplements.
Answer
True
What are vitamins?
Vitamins are chemical substances that
perform specific functions in the body.
They are essential nutrients because the
body cannot produce them.
If we fail to consume enough of a
vitamin, a specific deficiency disease will
develop.
13 vitamins have been discovered so far.
Vitamins Classifications
Two main categories: water soluble and
fat soluble
Groupings by function for health: bone
health, energy metabolism, heart
health, immune function, skin health,
tissue building, eye health, antioxidants.
Water-soluble vitamins
Vitamin C
(ascorbic acid)
B-complex
vitamins
Thiamin (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Vitamin B6
Folate (folacin,
folic acid)
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Pantothenic Acid
*Choline *
Water-soluble vitamins
Not stored in the body (except B12);
excreted in urine
Deficiency symptoms will show up in a
few weeks or months if not present in
the diet.
Only Niacin, B6 and Vitamin C are
known to produce ill effects if
consumed in excessive amounts.
Fat-Soluble vitamins
Vitamin A (retinol)
Beta carotene is provitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Stored in body fat, liver and other parts
of the body
Deficiencies take longer to develop than
water-soluble vitamin deficiencies
Toxicities can develop if taken in large
quantities
What do vitamins do?
B-vitamins are coenzymes
Enable reactions to take place in the body
Like the key that unlocks the door
Very little needed because it’s not used up
in the process
Thiamin, niacin, riboflavin all needed for
reactions concerning energy release
B6, folate, B12 all needed for reactions
concerning building tissues & heart health
What do vitamins do?
Vitamin C
Manufacture of collagen
Fight infections, repair wounds
Antioxidant
Increases iron absorption
Vitamin A
Maintains mucus membranes
Needed to see in dim light
Beta-carotene is an antioxidant
What do vitamins do?
Vitamin E
Vitamin D
Antioxidant
Reduces plaque sticking to arteries
Needed to absorb and utilize calcium and
phosphorus in bones, muscles, and nerves
Vitamin K
Needed to help the blood clot
What else do vitamins do?
Skin and eye health
Vitamin A
Adequate intake lessens complications
from measles- given with children in
developing nations with measles vaccine
Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of
blindness in the world
Vitamin A is used to treat acne and other
skin disorders (topical)
What else do vitamins do?
Immune function & heart health
Vitamin C
May lessen symptoms and duration of a
cold
Doesn’t reduce how often colds occur
High blood levels of vitamin C and heart
health: lower total cholesterol, lower
triglycerides, higher HDL, lower blood
pressure (Murray, p. 69)
What else to vitamins do?
Brain & spinal cord development
Heart health
Folate
Adequate intake during early pregnancy
prevents neural tube defects in babies
Reduces risk of developing heart disease
by reducing levels of homocysteine
Thiamin (B1)
Energy production & CHO metabolism
Nerve cell function: DM, Crohn’s, MS
Antioxidants
Rust preventers in the body
Oxygen damages cells and causes free radicalsmay cause cancer and other disorders
Antioxidants protect cells from oxidation, just
like painting metal prevents rust
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta Carotene (pre-Vitamin A)
Do you need vitamin supplements?
Vitamins are readily available from a
variety of foods (especially fruits and
vegetables)
Needs can be increased due to
environmental toxins, stress, and illness
Focus on whole unprocessed foods first
and supplement as warranted for health
and prevention of chronic disease.
Summary
Heart Health: Vit C, E, B6, B12, folate,
niacin
Tissue building: B6, B12, folate
Eye health: Vit A, C
Skin health: Vit A, C
Summary
Energy metabolism: B-vitamins
Nerve cell function: B1 (thiamin)
Immune function/antioxidant: C, E,
beta-carotene
Bone health: D, K
Mom was right!
Eat your
vegetables and
fruits!
Questions????