Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Hygiene Project

Submitted by :Anubhuti DaveGroup 21

VITAMINS are organic substances , essential in the diet in small amounts that are involved in fundamental functions of the body.

Fat Soluble Vitamins :- Vitamins which are soluble in organic solvents are known as Fat Soluble Vitamins.

Fat Soluble Vitamins are vitamin A ,D,E & K .

Usually cant be synthesized in sufficient quantities or synthesized at all.Used in correcting deficiency diseases and some used to treat non-deficiency diseases.Found in plant and animal sources supply vitamins in the diet.

Fat-soluble vitamins are not readily excreted and stored in fat cells.

Introduction

Vitamin AVitamin A is a generic term for a class of compounds called retinoids

Types of retinoids: retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid

Alpha & Beta-carotene are examples of provitamins converted into vitamin A (retinol)90% of vitamin A absorbed in small intestine.Retinoids stored in liver and carotenoids stored in liver and adipose.

Dietary Sources :-Liver, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, mango, acorn, squash, kale, broccoli, margarine, peaches, apricots, papaya

Functions:

Visual- Retinoic acid maintains normal differentiation of the cells that make up the various structural components of the eye

Cell differentiation – nuclear retinoid (RAR and RXR) receptors bind to DNA and cause gene expressionUsed in growth and differentiation of epithelial, nervous, bone tissues

Immunity – increases cell differentiation – produce cells involved in specific (e.g., lymphocytes) and nonspecific immunologic defenses (e.g., mucosal surfaces)

Consumption rates :-

RAE’s (retinol activity equivalents) versus IU’sMen 900 ug RAE/day, women 700 ug RAE/dayMen 3000 IU/day, women 2330 IU/day

Vitamin D

Two nutritionally important forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is found in plants and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is synthesized in the body from cholesterol.Conversion in skin: provitamin D (a form of cholesterol) is converted to previtamin D3 is converted to vitamin D3

D3 must be metabolized in the liver before becoming the active form of vitamin D.

80% of vitamin D is absorbed in small intestine.Carried by proteins in blood stream.

Functions of vitamin D:

Maintains serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations within the range that supports neuromuscular function and bone calcification.Calcitriol causes calcium to be absorbed by kidneys and intestines and also causes calcium to be released from bone.

Dietary sources:Fortified milk, margarine, butter, cereals, egg yolks, liver, fatty fish

Consumption rate :-

5 ug/day (19-50yrs)10 ug/day (51-70yrs)15 ug/day (>70yrs)

Vitamin E

Family of eight antioxidants, four tocopherols, alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-, and four tocotrienols (also alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-)

Alpha-tocopherol is most active form

Vitamin E is stored in liver and adipose tissue.

Functions:

AntioxidantPrevents propagation of free radicalsProtects other substances from oxidation by being oxidized itselfAlso protects polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A

Dietary sources :-

Polyunsaturated plant oils (margarine, salad dressings, shortenings), leafy green vegetables, wheat germ, whole-grains, liver, egg yolks, nuts (esp. almonds), seeds (esp. sunflower)

Consumption rate :-

15mg/day

Vitamin K

Two forms: Vitamin K1 Phyllaquinones (plant source) and vitamin K2 menaquinone (fish oils and meats)

80% of dietary vitamin K is absorbed

Functions:

Contributes to the synthesis of seven blood clotting factorsCofactor for enzymes

Dietary sources :-

Liver, green and leafy vegetables, broccoli, peas, and green beans, milk,eggs

Consumption rate :-

Men 120 ug/dayWomen 90 ug/day

Disease Related

1. Deficiency of Vitamins :- A disease that is caused by a dietary deficiency of specific nutrients, especially a vitamin or mineral, possibly stemming from insufficient intake, digestion, absorption, or utilization of a nutrient. Also called insufficiency disease.

2. Overdose of vitamins :- The truth is, too much of certain vitamins can lead to a vitamin overdose, which can be dangerous and, in some cases, life threatening. That is certainly not true with many vitamins – you're safe with a multivitamin that covers about 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for all vitamins and minerals.

Q. What methods are used for determination of fat soluble vitamins pathology ?

Answer :-

Vitamin A

When you have symptoms suggesting a vitamin A deficiency or excess, or are at risk for a deficiency, a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.Fasting is required and no alcohol should be consumed for 24 hours before sample collection.

Vitamin D

When you have an abnormal calcium, phosphorus, and/or parathyroid hormone level; when you have evidence of bone disease or bone weakness.A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.

Vitamin E

Specimen Type: BloodThe Vitamin E blood test may be used to determine Vitamin E deficiency. Turnaround time for the Vitamin E blood test is typically 2-5 business days.

Vitamin K

A deficiency of vitamin K is usually discovered when unexpected or excessive bleeding occurs. In such cases, a prothrombin time (PT) is the main laboratory test performed to investigate the bleeding. Other coagulation tests may occasionally be performed to evaluate someone with symptoms of excessive bleeding and bruising, such as PTT, thrombin time, platelet count, platelet function tests, coagulation factor tests, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and d-dimerMeasurements of the level of vitamin K in the blood are rarely used to determine if a deficiency exists.

Q. Concentration Limits .

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, should be consumed in moderation. Supplements aren't usually needed for those consuming a Western diet. Adults should not have an intake of Vitamin A that's higher than 3,000 mcg.Side effects that occur in the body when too much vitamin A is consumed include:severe growth retardationhair lossblurred visionthe enlargement of the liver and spleenIt may also result in bone pain. Vitamin A toxicity may also increase hip fracture risks. For pregnant women, a vitamin A overdose can result in birth defects for her baby.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient. While it's very important for the development of healthy bones and teeth in children, it's very important that they don't over consume this vitamin. Many milk and soy products are fortified with vitamin D. With vitamin supplements also providing a healthy dose, it's something that parents should be aware of when planning a child's diet.When the overconsumption of vitamin D is not in high doses, one may only experience nausea and irritability. However, vitamin D toxicity in its severe form may lead to slowed mental and physical growth. It may also lead to kidney damage and complications.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is necessary for health; the body uses it as an antioxidant. However, as with all of the other fat-soluble vitamins, too much can put one's health at risk. People who are taking blood-thinning medications should monitor their vitamin E intake. While vegetables with vitamin E are safe, especially in moderation, those individuals should not take supplements of vitamin E in any form. Severe overconsumption of vitamin E can lead to nausea and digestive tract disorders in any individual.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K1 (phytonadione) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone) are not clearly established as potentially toxic, but vitamin K3 (menadione) is. If one consumes an excess of vitamin K3, they can experience many detrimental side effects. It can negate he effects of anticoagulants, and this can spell disaster if they're needed for one's health. It can cause porphynuria; if a pregnant woman gets this, her baby could be born jaundiced. It can cause a side effect as minor as vomiting, or it may cause thrombosis.

Management

1.Remind parents of children who ingested vitamins of the appropriate ways to childproof their homes, and emphasize the need to use child-resistant bottles.

2.Instruct adults who have unintentionally overdosed on vitamins as part of their megavitamin regimen on the serious adverse effects of such chemicals.