Vitamins

Organic substances

Found in some foods

Cofactors for the enzymes of some

metabolic steps in human body

Not made in the body (or not in

sufficient quantity)

Required in very small amounts

Fat soluble Vitamins

Recommended Alternative
name
name

Daily
allowance

Vitamin A

Retinol

1 mg

Vitamin D

Ergocalciferol

3 g

Vitamin E

Tocopherol

10 mg

Vitamin K

Phylloquinone 100 g

Characteristics

Fat soluble

Heat stable

Bile necessary for absorption

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Functions

Functioning of retina

Growth and maturation of the cells lining

of the body (glandular & epithelial cell)

Growth of bone

Anti infective

Reproduction and embryonic development

Deficiency

Night Blindness

Dryness and ulceration of the eyes

Skin eruptions and dryness

Faulty epiphyseal bone formation

Defective tooth enamel

Impaired resistance to infection

Treatment

Vitamin A deficiency should be treated

urgently

200,000IU of Vitamin A orally on two

successive days reverses early stages
of xerophthalmia

Preventive measures

Improve diet

Reduce contributory factors

Prophylactic treatment:
Oral Vitamin A in oil (retinol palmitate)
children 1 to 6 years - 200,000 IU
children 6 months to 1 year - 100,000 IU

Toxicity

Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, sleep disorders

Skin desquamation

Liver damage

Papillar oedema

Alopecia

Fetal malformations

Calciferol (Vitamin D)

Functions

Acts as a hormone

Promotes formation of bone by

increasing the blood levels of calcium
and phosphorus

Deficiency

Insufficient absorption of calcium and

phosphorus

Blood levels of calcium are maintained

at the expense of bone break down

In children - rickets

In adults - osteomalacia

Toxicity

Nausea, diarrhoea, weight loss, polyuria

Calcification of soft tissue

Cause calcium levels in the blood to

reach toxic, life-threatening levels tetany

Toxicity can also occur in the fetus

Tocoferol (Vitamin E )

Functions

Acts as an antioxidant of lipids

Protects cell membranes and prevents

damage to membrane associated
enzymes

Manifestation of a deficiency is rare

Deficiency

No known syndrome associated with

vitamin E deficiency in adults

In premature infants, anemia may be

seen

Toxicity

High doses interfere with blood clotting

and may increase the risk of bleeding
in people with bleeding tendencies

Megadose intake may induce blurred

vision or headaches

Phylloquinone (Vitamin K)

Functions

Essential for the formation of several

blood clotting factors

Antagonizes the action of oral

anticoagulants

Deficiency

Increased tendency to bleed

Defective blood clotting

Inadequate vitamin K may be

absorbed with obstruction to bile flow