Vitamins

•Organic compound required in small amounts
•Provide no energy
•Regulatory rather than structural agents
•Organic catalysts
•Destructible

Vitamin A

•Retinol
•Precursor – beta-carotene

 

•Functions
•    Maintenance of epithelial cells
•    Vision
•    Bone growth
•    Immunity
 
•Sources                                                            
•    Liver
•    Carrots
•    Pumpkin pie
•    Watermelon
•    Sweet potatoes
•    Spinach

Vitamin C

•Ascorbic Acid

 
•Functions
–    Antioxidant
–    Aids in mineral absorption
–    Wound healing
 
 
•Sources
–    Tomatoes
–    Green peppers
–    Oranges
–    Citrus fruits

Vitamin D

•Functions
–    Hormone action
–    Promotes bone mineralization
–    Stimulates mineral absorption
•Sources
–    Fortification of milk
–    Cod fish oils
–    Egg yolk
–    Liver
–    Fatty fish

Vitamin E

•Tocopherols  
 
•Functions
–    Antioxidant
–    Immunity
–    Heart disease prevention
•Sources
–    Vegetable/seed oil
–    Margarine
–    Salad dressing
–    Leafy greens
–    Nuts
 

Vitamin K

•Quinone family

 

•Functions
–    Blood clotting
–    Bone formation
•Sources
–    Liver
–    Leafy greens
–    Cabbage family

B Vitamins
 Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3)

•Functions
–    Coenzymes
–    Metabolism
–    Transmission of nerve impulses
•Sources
–    Enriched breads
–    Enriched cereals
–    Milk B2
–    Pork B3

  

 

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