Vitamins cheat sheet

Vitamins cheat sheet

Water soluble vitamins: Vitamin B and C.
Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinal, beta-carotene):

  • Function: Helps to form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, bones, and soft tissues.
  • Signs of deficiency: Skin problems, poor night vision, dry eyes, decreased sensory ability, growth retardation, vulnerability to infection.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy.
  • Signs of deficiency: Poor appetite, depression, impairment of nerves, and heart muscle wasting.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy.
  • Signs of deficiency: Cracked lips, sore mouth, anemia.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy and is essential for healthy nervous system.
  • Signs of deficiency: Diarrhea, mental confusion.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):

  • Function: Helps to make RBCs and breakdown glucose.
  • Signs of deficiency: Anemia and nerve damage.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy and breaks down glucose.
  • Signs of deficiency: Dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis, neurological symptoms.

Vitamin B9 (Folate):

  • Function: Vital for new cell creation and DNA synthesis.
  • Signs of deficiency: Impaired formation of RBCs, weakness, irritability, headache, palpitations, inflammation of mouth, neural tube defects in fetus.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):

  • Function: Breaks down fatty acids and amino acids and also helps to make RBCs.
  • Signs of deficiency: Pernicious anemia, increased risk for stomach cancer.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid and ascorbate):

  • Function: Needed for growth and repair of tissues throughout the body.
  • Signs of deficiency: Scurvy- bleeding gums, bruising swollen joints, slow wound healing.

Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol – D2 and Cholecalciferol – D3):

  • Function: Strengthens and helps form bones and teeth via absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
  • Signs of deficiency: Rickets – skeletal deformities and soft bones.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol):

  • Function: Acts as an antioxidant, helps with formation of RBCS.
  • Signs of deficiency: Inability to absorb fat.

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):

  • Function: Essential for blood clotting and helps to regulate blood calcium.
  • Signs of deficiency: Excessive bleeding.