Vitamins and Their Functions

Water soluble vitamins Dissolve in Water The body uses what it needs and then excretes the rest therefore they do not become toxic B C

The body stores them but they can be toxic in excessive amounts Fat Soluble Vitamins K A D E Dissolve in Fat The body stores them but they can be toxic in excessive amounts

B Vitamins Help turn carbohydrates into energy and help to promote a healthy nervous system

Vitamin A Function Sources Prevents Enhances hair and skin, Helps vision, growth and nerves Red, orange and dark green vegetables Night blindness, poor eyesight, poor skin and hair Night Blindness: Eyes becomes sensitive to light and it is hard to see in dim light .

Thiamin – (vitamin B1) Function Sources Prevents Nerve tissue, digestive system, appetite, energy Milk, whole grains, poultry, fish, dried beans Beriberi Beriberi: Swelling of the heart, numbness of hands and feet, mental confusion

Riboflavin – (vitamin b2) Function Sources Prevents Promotes growth, nerves, digestion, works with protein Milk, whole grains, dark green vegetables, fish, eggs Premature aging

Niacin – (vitamin B3) Function Sources Prevents Nerve tissue, digestive system Milk, whole grains, dates, peaches, fish, poultry, peanuts Pellagra Pellagra: Skin irritations, digestive problems, swelling of the tongue. If not treated, mental disorder or death.

Pellagra

Folic Acid- B Vitamins Function Sources Prevents Red blood cells Oranges, dark green vegetables, whole grains, meat, eggs Neural tube birth disorders like spina bifida

Spina Bifida The spinal cord begins to develop within the first 28 days of pregnancy. Neural tube damage occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy, before a woman may realize she is pregnant Meeting the folate requirement before becoming pregnant is essential for prevention

Vitamin c - (ascorbic acid) Function Sources Prevents Helps to form collagen which holds the cells together and aids in healing citrus fruit, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes Scurvy Scurvy: Weakness, lack of appetite. Skin becomes thick, scaly and darkens. Causes bruises, joints swell and are painful, gums bleed.

Scurvy

Vitamin D (The sunshine vitamin) Manufactured by the body with exposure to sunlight

Vitamin D Function Sources Prevents Works with the body to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth Added to milk products Rickets Rickets: Bones become weak and soft. Bone deformities can result in growing children.

Rickets

Vitamin E Function Sources Prevents Protects membranes of white and red blood cells -Fruits and Veggies -Fortified grains and cereals -Nuts & seeds Nerve deterioration

Vitamin K To much Vitamin K causes Jaundice Function Sources Prevents Helps blood to clot -Dark green leafy vegetables -Liver Hemorrhaging To much Vitamin K causes Jaundice

Jaundice Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally bilirubin passes through the liver. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Phototherapy is a treatment with a special light that helps rid the body of the bilirubin by altering it or making it easier for the liver to get rid of it.