VITAMINS FUNCTIONS

VITAMIN A -Maintain normal vision, skin health, bone and

tooth growth reproduction and immune function;
prevents xerophthalmia.
-Food sources: Breastmilk; poultry; eggs; liver;
meat; carrots; squash; papaya; mango; tiesa;
malunggay; kangkong; camote tops; ampalaya
tops
THIAMINE -Help release energy from nutrients; support
normal appetite and nerve function, prevent beri-
beri
RIBOFLAVIN -Helps release energy from nutrients; supports
skin health, prevent deficiency manifested by
cracks and redness at corners of mouth;
inflammation of the tongue and dermatitis
NIACIN -Help release energy from nutrients; support skin,
nervous and digestive system; prevent pellagra
BIOTIN -Help energy and amino acid metabolism; help in
the synthesis of fat glycogen
PANTOTHENIC -Help in energy metabolism
FOLIC ACID -Help in the formation of DNA and new blood
cells including red blood cells; prevent anemia
and some amino acids
VITAMIN B12 -Help in the formation of the new cells; maintain
nerve cells, assist in the metabolism of fatty acids
and amino acids
VITAMIN C -Help in the formation of protein, collagen, bone,
teeth cartilage, skin and scar tissue; facilitate in
the absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal
tract; involve in amino acid metabolism; increase
resistance to infection.
-Food sources: Guava, pomelo, lemon, orange,
calamansi, tomato, and cashew.
VITAMIN D -Help in the mineralization of bones by enhancing
absorption of calcium
VITAMIN E -Strong anti-oxidant; help prevent
arteriosclerosis; protect neuro muscular system;
important for normal immune function.
VITAMIN K -Involve in the synthesis of blood clotting proteins
and a bone protein that regulates blood calcium
level.
MINERALS FUNCTION
CALCIUM -Mineralization of bones and teeth, regulator of
many of the body’s biochemical processes,
involve in blood clotting, muscle contraction and
relaxation, nerve functioning, blood pressure,
and immune defenses.
CHLORIDE -Maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance.
CHROMIUM -Work with insulin and is required for release of
energy from glucose.
COPPER -Necessary for absorption and use of iron in the
formation of hemoglobin.
FLUORIDE -Involve in the formation of bones and teeth;
prevents tooth decay.
IODINE -As part of the two thyroid hormones, iodine
regulates growth, physical and mental
development, and metabolic rate. Aids in the
development of the brain and body especially in
unborn babies.
-Food sources: Seaweeds; squids; shrimps; crabs;
mussels; snails; dried dilis; fish.
IRON -Essential in the formation of blood. It is involved
in the transport and storage of oxygen in the
blood and is a co-factor bound to several non-
hemo enzymes required for the proper
functioning of cells.
-Food sources: Pork; beef; chicken; liver and
other internal organs; dried dilis; shrimp; eggs;
pechay; saluyot; alugbati.
MAGNESIUM -Mineralization of bones and teeth, building of
proteins, normal muscle contraction, nerve
impulse transmission, maintenance of teeth and
functioning of immune system.
MANGANESE -Facilitate many cell processes.
MOLYBDENUM -Facilitate many cell processes.
PHOSPORUS -Mineralization of bones and teeth; part of every
cell; used in energy transfer and maintenance of
acid-base balance.
SELENIUM -Work with vitamin E to protect body compound
from oxidation
SODIUM -Maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance,
assist nerve impulse insulin.
SULFUR -Integral part of vitamins, biotin and thiamine as
well as the hormone.
ZINC -Essential for normal growth, development
reproduction and immunity.
Micronutrients: Vitamins:

Vitamin A- Important role in vision, maintain integrity of the epithelial tissues, needed for bone
growth
- Immune system and reproduction. Deficiency of Vit A will leads to night blindness,
depress immune response poor dental health and growth. It is found in liver, milk, eggs, fruits and
vegetables.

Vitamin D – Need in the absorption of calcium and phosporus , bone formation and cell
differentiation and modulates immune functions. Deficiency results to rickets , disease of liver and
kidney

Vitamin E – It act as body’s anti oxidant protecting liquid membrane of the cells from oxidant
damage and prevent breakdown of polysaturated fats. Deficiency may results to hemolytic anemia in
low birth weight infants.

Vitamin K – Synthesize intestinal bacteria and prevent blood clottings, deficiency will leads to
hemorhage
Water Soluble vitamins

B1 (Thiamine) – Plays a role in carbohydrates metabolism and proper functioning of of nervous system,
heart and digestive tract sources are meat, legumes, liver and cereals.
Deficiency will result to beri-bari, loss of appetite, fatigue, heart failure, edema of legs and mental
problems.

B 12 (Riboflavin) – It maintain healthy skin, lips, and tongue sources are milk, meat , vegetables.
Deficiency is characterized by wound aggravation, stomatitis, eye irritation, and dermatitis.

B 3 (Niacin) –it involves in energy metabolism it is found in meat, legumes and cereals.
Classical deficiency associated with niacin deficiency as pellagra characterized by diarrhea and dermatitis
( Casals’s necklace) when exposed to sunlight, dementia (confusion and loss of memory) and death

B 6 (Pyridoxine) - plays important role in hemoglobin synthesis sources are meat, fish, fruits, green
leafy vegetables and cereal grains. Deficiency is manifested by symptoms such as loss of stamina,
irritability and convulsion.

Folate – They are co –enzyme needed I new cell synthesis sources are dark green leafy
vegetables legumes, liver and seeds. Deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia . Folate can
also prevent neural tube defects.
Cobalamin –Used in cell synthesis and maintain nerve cells sources are meat, fish , milk
Pantothenic-Used as co enzyme in energy metabolism.
Biotin – Essential in co enzyme used in energy metabolism, fat amino acid, and glycogen synthesis.
Deficiency symptoms includes loss of appetite, nausea, depression, weakness, fatigue and hair loss and
dermatitis.

Vitamin C ( Ascorbic Acid) – It is needed in the formation of collagen, base for all connective
tissues in the body such as bones , teeth, skin, and tendons, Enhance iron absorption, increase
resistance to Infection and an antioxidant.
Deficiency in intake will leads to scurvy- swollen bleeding gums, rough skin poor wound healing.

DEFICIENCY BIOCHEMICAL TEST

PROTEIN DEFICIENCY -Serum albumin
-Urinary urea; creatinine ratio
VIT A -Serum Vit A
IRON -Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Serum iron
FOLIC ACID/B12 -Serum and RBC Folate
-Serum and RBC Vit B12
IODINE -Urinary iodine excretion, TSH, T3, T4
VIT C -Serum Vit C
THIAMINE, RIBOFLAVIN, NIACIN -Urinary excretion
VIT B6 -Tryptophan load test

DEFICIENCY SUGGESTED SIGNS

ANEMIA -Pale conjunctiva, inner lips, palm, and hand
VIT A -Bitot’s spot
RIBOFLAVIN -Stomatitis
NIACIN -Casal’s necklace
VIT C -Bleeding gums
IODINE -Thyroid enlargement
PROTEIN -Edema/moon face
VIT D -Episphyseal enlargement