Vitamins

Dietary Supplement Use (USA) $ 4,300,000,000 for vit/min in 1995 $ 4,300,000,000 for vit/min in 1995 $ 1,400,000,000 for herbs $ 1,400,000,000 for herbs $ 31,000,000,000 total for dietary supplements and functional foods in 1999 (GAO, 2000) $ 31,000,000,000 total for dietary supplements and functional foods in 1999 (GAO, 2000) 42% adults regular users (27% 1989) 42% adults regular users (27% 1989) –females > males –66% multi-vit/min –37% vitamin C –19% vitamin E –23% herbal supplements (13% 1995)

Dietary Supplement Use: Pros Supplements prevents dietary deficiencies Supplements prevents dietary deficiencies –calcium –folic acid Amounts used in some studies not attainable with dietary sources Amounts used in some studies not attainable with dietary sources –antioxidants Relatively low cost Relatively low cost

Dietary Supplement Use: Cons False sense of security False sense of security –folic acid and pregnancy Does not contain all potentially useful chemicals in foods Does not contain all potentially useful chemicals in foods –plant phytochemicals Toxicity almost only due to supplement use Toxicity almost only due to supplement use Costs significant to low income Costs significant to low income

Vitamin/Mineral Deficiency Worldwide 1 in 5 adults malnourished 1 in 5 adults malnourished 1 in 4 children malnourished 1 in 4 children malnourished 3 million children severe vitamin A deficiency 3 million children severe vitamin A deficiency –blindness –stunted growth –275 million with mild deficiency

Vitamins: Definition Organic compound found in foods Organic compound found in foods Required in small amounts Required in small amounts Required in the diet (essential) Required in the diet (essential) Proven to be required for health, growth, and reproduction Proven to be required for health, growth, and reproduction –deficiency syndrome identified

Water Soluble Vs. Fat Soluble Water Soluble: Water Soluble: –Vitamin C, and the B vitamins Fat Soluble Fat Soluble –Vitamins A,D,E,K

Vitamins: Support Staff What can’t they do? What can’t they do? –They can’t be used as an energy source. What can they do? What can they do? –They are usually in supporting roles in the body. e.g.: many of the B vitamins are co-enzymes that help breakdown glucose for energy e.g.: many of the B vitamins are co-enzymes that help breakdown glucose for energy

The differences between water and fat soluble vitamins Absorption from digestive system Absorption from digestive system –fat soluble: into the lymph with chylomicrons –H20 soluble: into blood Transport Transport –fat sol: carried by lipoproteins –water sol: free in blood

Water Vs Fat Soluble Storage and Excretion Storage and Excretion –Fat Sol: stored with fat in cells and adipose tissue, excesses stored –Water sol: not held firmly by cells, excesses excreted –Potential for Fat soluble to build up and perhaps reach toxic levels –Potential for water soluble to excrete extra amounts, not as prone to toxicity

Fat soluble Toxicity Fat soluble vitamins may be toxic with too high of an intake Fat soluble vitamins may be toxic with too high of an intake Water soluble vitamins are less likely to be toxic with high intake Water soluble vitamins are less likely to be toxic with high intake

B Vitamins Correct names and common names Correct names and common names Thiamin B1 Thiamin B1 RiboflavinB2 RiboflavinB2 Niacinnicotinic acid Niacinnicotinic acid B6pyridoxine B6pyridoxine folacinfolate, folic acid folacinfolate, folic acid B12cobalamin B12cobalamin

B vitamins: Correct names pantothenic acidno other pantothenic acidno other biotinno other biotinno other B vitamins act as coenzymes B vitamins act as coenzymes –Help to complete the correct shape of the molecule –Many help to metabolize glucose to release energy

B Vitamins Coenzyme function Coenzyme function –Prosthetic Group: physically become part of an enzyme complex –Others are more loosely attached –May be part of the active site in the enzyme.

Vitamins and Metabolism

B Vitamins Thiamin Thiamin Riboflavin Riboflavin Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) Folate Folate

B vitamin deficiencies Thiamin: beriberi Thiamin: beriberi –symptoms: mental confusion, muscle weakness and wasting, edema, enlarged heart

Riboflavin: Riboflavin: –symptoms: personality changes, cracks at the corners of your mouth(cheilosis), tender tongue(glossitis)

Folacin: Folacin: –Symptoms: megaloblastic, macrocytic anemia,

Niacin Part of NAD+ Part of NAD+ –helps metabolize glucose –without Niacin, this breakdown of glucose stops –Slows energy release: 4 D’s of Niacin deficiency (called pellagra: Dermatitis: skin inflammation Dermatitis: skin inflammation Diarrhea: poor absorption Diarrhea: poor absorption Dementia: no energy to think Dementia: no energy to think Death: if untreated Death: if untreated

Pellagra

Vitamin B 12 Blood formation Blood formation Homocysteine Homocysteine Nerve damage Nerve damage Deficiency Deficiency –Atrophic gastritis –Pernicious anemia

Megaloblastic anemia

Vascular Disease Folate and vitamin B 12 are required for the breakdown of the amino acid homocysteine. Folate and vitamin B 12 are required for the breakdown of the amino acid homocysteine. Low folate and vitamin B 12 intake may cause an increased level of homocysteine. Low folate and vitamin B 12 intake may cause an increased level of homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are associated with greater risk of cardivascular and cerebrovascular disease. High homocysteine levels are associated with greater risk of cardivascular and cerebrovascular disease.

B vitamin Toxicities: Rare B6 B6 –Symptoms: with very high doses sensory nerve disorders; may interfere with nerve impulses and heart beat Niacin Niacin –Symptoms: skin flushing, nausea, jaundice, liver dysfunction Some individuals with high serum cholesterol are treated with pharmacological doses of niacin Some individuals with high serum cholesterol are treated with pharmacological doses of niacin

Oxidation Oxidation: the loss of electrons from a molecule. Oxidation: the loss of electrons from a molecule. Reduction: the gain of electrons by a molecule. Reduction: the gain of electrons by a molecule. Oxidation and reduction usually occur together as an exchange reaction. Oxidation and reduction usually occur together as an exchange reaction.

Oxidation Stable atoms contain an even number of paired electrons. Stable atoms contain an even number of paired electrons. Free radical: an atom that has lost an electron and is left with an unpaired electron. Free radical: an atom that has lost an electron and is left with an unpaired electron. Free radicals are highly reactive and can cause damage to molecules in the cell. Free radicals are highly reactive and can cause damage to molecules in the cell.

Free Radicals and Diseases

Antioxidants Substances that are able to neutralize reactive molecules and reduce oxidative damage Substances that are able to neutralize reactive molecules and reduce oxidative damage Result of metabolic processes and environmental sources Result of metabolic processes and environmental sources Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, Vitamin A, selenium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, Vitamin A, selenium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese

Vitamin C Functions Collagen Formation Collagen Formation antioxidant antioxidant –reduce cancer risk –helps absorb iron from food –Reduces risk of colds????? probably not probably not Linus Pauling’s study Linus Pauling’s study NutraIngredients NutraIngredients NutraIngredients

Vitamin C Deficiency: called scurvy Deficiency: called scurvy –poor formation of collagen in blood vessels weak vessels result in hemorrhages weak vessels result in hemorrhages can be severe and result in lots of blood loss and death can be severe and result in lots of blood loss and death Toxicity: may result in Toxicity: may result in –kidney stones –rebound scurvy –Destruction of B12 –Problems with acid/base balance

Vitamin C: RDA 90/75 mg/day Foods rich in vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C: –1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice: 124 mg –1 cup canned o.j.: 84 mg Smoker’s RDA = +35 mg/day Smoker’s RDA = +35 mg/day –Some of vitamin C is sacrificed in reducing the oxidants of cigarette smoke Vitamin C intake offers protection against stomach cancer Vitamin C intake offers protection against stomach cancer Vitamin C intake offers protection against stomach cancer Vitamin C intake offers protection against stomach cancer

Vitamin C Deficiency: called scurvy Deficiency: called scurvy –poor formation of collagen in blood vessels weak vessels result in hemorrhages weak vessels result in hemorrhages can be severe and result in lots of blood loss and death can be severe and result in lots of blood loss and death Toxicity: may result in Toxicity: may result in –kidney stones –rebound scurvy –Destruction of B12 –Problems with acid/base balance

Vitamin C: RDA 60 mg/day Foods rich in vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C: –1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice: 124 mg –1 cup canned o.j.: 84 mg Smoker’s RDA = 100 mg/day Smoker’s RDA = 100 mg/day –Some of vitamin C is sacrificed in reducing the oxidants of cigarette smoke

Vitamin A Functions Vision: helps with conversion of light energy to electrical energy in eye Vision: helps with conversion of light energy to electrical energy in eye Cell differentiation-maintenance of linings: Cell differentiation-maintenance of linings: –helps produce the CHO normally found in mucous Bone growth: Bone growth: –helps with remodeling growing bones

Vitamin A Deficiency One year supply in fat and liver of most people: So deficiencies are rare One year supply in fat and liver of most people: So deficiencies are rare –Bone growth and remodeling problems shape changes shape changes –Linings deteriorate GI tract: diarrhea GI tract: diarrhea Respiratory tract: infections Respiratory tract: infections urogenital tract: infections, kidney stones urogenital tract: infections, kidney stones –Impaired night vision and day vision

Vitamin A Toxicities Bones: Bones: –decalcification, joint pain Nervous system Nervous system –loss of appetite, irritability, muscle weakness Liver enlargement Liver enlargement –jaundice Blood: RBCs loose hemoglobin Blood: RBCs loose hemoglobin –Bleeding induced easily

Beta-Carotene-provitamin Functions Functions –Weak antioxidant –Enhance immune system –Protect skin and eyes Deficiency/toxicity Deficiency/toxicity

Beta-Carotene-provitamin No RDA No RDA Sources Sources

Beta carotene and Vitamin A

Vitamin A RDA= 700 RE for females; 900 RE for males. RE= Retinol Equivalent RE= Retinol Equivalent –Retinol is the active form of vitamin A –Other molecules can be metabolized to make Retinol, thus retinol equivalents e.g.: beta carotene can be modified to make retinol e.g.: beta carotene can be modified to make retinol beta carotene is found in carrots and other deep orange and green vegetables beta carotene is found in carrots and other deep orange and green vegetables 1 RE= 1 microgram of retinol 1 RE= 1 microgram of retinol 1 RE= 3.3 IU retinol 1 RE= 3.3 IU retinol 1 RE = 12 micrograms of beta carotene 1 RE = 12 micrograms of beta carotene

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene Rich Foods 1 medium carrot = 2025 REs; about 2.5 times the RDA 1 medium carrot = 2025 REs; about 2.5 times the RDA 1 cup butternut squash = 1400 REs 1 cup butternut squash = 1400 REs 1 sweet potato = 2000 REs 1 sweet potato = 2000 REs 1/2 cup cooked spinach = 700 REs 1/2 cup cooked spinach = 700 REs 1 cup cooked broccoli = 250 REs 1 cup cooked broccoli = 250 REs 1 cup milk = 140 REs 1 cup milk = 140 REs

Vitamin D Functions: Helps bone grow Works in three ways: Works in three ways: –1. Increases Calcium Absorption from the G.I. tract –2. Helps to withdraw calcium from bone –3. Increases calcium retention in the kidney.

Sources of Vitamin D Body makes it own: Body makes it own: –Dehydrocholesterol in the skin exposed to sunlight Energy transforms it into a pre-vitamin D molecule Energy transforms it into a pre-vitamin D molecule Body heat provides energy to change pre-vitamin D into inactive Vitamin D Body heat provides energy to change pre-vitamin D into inactive Vitamin D Inactive Vitamin D activated in two steps Inactive Vitamin D activated in two steps –First, in the Liver –Second in the Kidney Netrition Home Page

Vitamin D

Sources of Vitamin D RDA = 5 ug-15 ug In foods: In foods: – Fortified milk: 2.5 mcg/cup –1 egg = 0.7 mcg –3 oz shrimp = 3 mcg –1 tsp margarine = 0.5 mcg –USATODAY.com - How to get vitamin D? USATODAY.com - How to get vitamin D?USATODAY.com - How to get vitamin D?

Vitamin D Deficiencies In children: Rickets In children: Rickets –malformed bones, bow legs In adults: osteomalacia Vitamin D improves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis In adults: osteomalacia Vitamin D improves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis Vitamin D improves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis Vitamin D improves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis most often occurs in women with low Ca intake, repeated pregnancies, low sun-exposure, and long breastfeeding with infants most often occurs in women with low Ca intake, repeated pregnancies, low sun-exposure, and long breastfeeding with infants –loss of Calcium from bone and change of shape USATODAY.com - Vitamin D reserach may have doctors prescribing sunshine USATODAY.com - Vitamin D reserach may have doctors prescribing sunshine USATODAY.com - Vitamin D reserach may have doctors prescribing sunshine USATODAY.com - Vitamin D reserach may have doctors prescribing sunshine

Vitamin D Toxicity: Most potentially toxic of all vitamins!!!! Most potentially toxic of all vitamins!!!! –As little as 4 to 5 X RDA can be associated with toxic symptoms minor: diarrhea, headache, nausea minor: diarrhea, headache, nausea major: calcium deposits in soft tissues of heart, kidney, arteries major: calcium deposits in soft tissues of heart, kidney, arteries –Major concern: those who take Vitamin D supplements If some is good, more is NOT better!!!!! If some is good, more is NOT better!!!!!

Sources of Vitamin D: RDA = micrograms in adults In foods: In foods: – Fortified milk: 2.5 mcg/cup –1 egg = 0.7 mcg –3 oz shrimp = 3 mcg –1 tsp margarine = 0.5 mcg

Vitamin K Blood coagulation Blood coagulation –coenzyme Deficiency Deficiency Toxicity Toxicity

Vitamin E Functions: Anti-oxidant Functions: Anti-oxidant –Guards against damage to membranes from oxidizing compounds Deficiency: Rare (premature infants under 3.5 pounds, people unable to absorb fat or metabolize fat properly Deficiency: Rare (premature infants under 3.5 pounds, people unable to absorb fat or metabolize fat properly –Suppresses the immune system because vitamin E protects White Blood Cells

Vitamin E Toxicity: Rare Toxicity: Rare Sources:Vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals Sources:Vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals