
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.




