Community pharmacy Chapter5: Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins They are complex organic compounds required by the body in very small amounts. They are concerned with vital metabolic function in the body, and hence essential for maintenance of health. since vitamins can not be manufactured in body, they have to be supplied through the diet.

Vitamins are classified into two major groups: Fat soluble vitamins: A, D,E,K Water soluble vitamins: B complex and C (ascorbic acid)

Fat soluble vitamins: A, D,E,K Deficiency Function Source Vitamin Stunted growth, night blindness, keratinization 750mg Maintenance health epithelial tissue, proper functioning of retina and vision Milk, butter, egg yolk, fish liver oil, green leafy vegetables, fruits like mango Vitamin A (retinol) Racket, ostemalacia 2.5 mg Facilitate the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones and teeth Fish liver oil, milk, cheese, egg yolk Vitamin D (calciferol) Fat soluble vitamins: A, D,E,K

8-10 mg Maintain healthy muscular system, anti oxidant Egg yolk, milk, butter, green vegetables Vitamin E (tocopherols) Slow blood clotting, hemorrhages in new born 70-140gm Formation of Prothrombin and factor VI,IX, and X in liver Cabbage, fish liver, fruits, leafy vegetables Vitamin K (phylloquinone)

Minerals The human body consists of number of minerals and trace elements which are required for various metabolism function in the body. The important minerals involved are: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and iodine.

Calcium Its is obtained from milk, cheeses, eggs, green vegetables and some fish. A well –balanced diet provides adequate amount of calcium for the body's need. Calcium in association with vitamin D, and phosphorus is essential for the hardening of the bone and teeth. There is no clear cut definition as signs and symptoms due to the deficiency of calcium. Children, expectant and nursing mothers require higher amount of calcium as it is needed for the growth of tissues and bones

Phosphorus Good source of phosphorus are cheese, meat, liver, cereals, oil seeds. If there is sufficient calcium in diet, it is unlikely that there will be deficiency of phosphorus. Phosphorus is associate of with calcium and vitamin D in the hardening of bones and teeth and helps to maintain the constant composition of the body fluids. Phosphorus are essential part for energy transport inside cells

Potassium It is found widely in all foods. The normal intake of the potassium chloride varies from 5-6 gm and this meets the body's potassium requirements. It is the most commonly occurring intra cellular cation and is involved in various chemical activities inside cell. It also plays important role in contraction of the muscle, transmission of nerves impulses and maintenance of electrolyte balance in the body.

Sodium Is found in most foods specially in fish, meat, eggs, milk, artificially enriched bread and as cooking and table salt. The normal intake of sodium chloride/day varies 5-20 gm whereas the daily requirements is between 2-5 gm, excess amount is excreted in urine. Sodium is the most commonly occurring extra cellular cation and is associated with the contraction of muscle, transmission of nerve impulses in nerve fiber and maintenance of electrolytes balance in the body

Iron Is soluble compound, found in green leafy vegetable, liver, kidney, eggs yolk, and whole meal bread. Normal adults lose about 1 mg iron daily from the body. The normal daily diet may contain more but the amount absorbed is equal to the amount lost. Higher intake is necessary for women particularly during pregnancy

Iron from an important component of hemoglobin which functions as a carrier of oxygen in the blood. Iron is necessary for growing children and pregnant women and deficiency of this mineral leads to anemia. It also necessary for tissue oxidation.

Iodine It is found in salt water fish and in vegetables grown in soil containing iodine. In some parts of the word including india where iodine is deficient in soil very small quantities(1 in 40000) are added to table salt. The minimum daily requirement of iodine is 140 μg, for an adult man and 100 μg for an adult woman

Iodine is essential for the formation of the thyroxin and triiodothyronine, the harmful secreted by thyroid gland. Its deficiency can lead to endemic goiter, hypothyroidism and impaired hearing and brain development.

Fluorine Is never found in nature. About 96% of fluoride is found in bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal mineralization of bones and formation of dental enamel. The main source of fluoride to man in drinking water in our country is 0.5-0.8 mg/let. The average adult man may ingest about 1 mg of fluoride from drinking water and his daily diet may provide another 0.25 -0.35 mg of fluoride

Fluorine is often considered a two edged sword Fluorine is often considered a two edged sword. Ingestion of large amount is associated with dental and skeletal fluorosis characterized by mottled enamel and osteosclerosis respectively. On the hand, if the fluoride deficiency occurs due to less than optimum intake of fluoride, it may lead to development of dental caries

Trace elements Apart from the mentioned minerals, there are other element which are required by the body in very minute amount and hence they are known as trace elements. Zinc: Is present in all the tissues and is constitute of insulin and many enzymes in the body. It is widely distributed in the food stuffs both animal and vegetable. Daily intake in adults range from 5-10 mg.

Low circulating zinc levels have been associated with lever disease, pernicious anemia and delayed wound healing.