VITAMINS AND MINERALS

VITAMINS, ENZYMES, HORMONES AND MINERALS

Vitamins, like enzymes, are catalyst–like for metabolic processes, and synthesis – and are required in small amounts. Vitamins are not as specific in function as enzymes – partly because they often function as proto–enzymes

Minerals are required structurally for bones, teeth, tissue, blood cells... in metabolism and synthesis, fluid and acid–base balance, nerve impulse transmission and heart function. Even when present in significant amounts, e.g. calcium and iron they are, unlike carbohydrates, fats, proteins not required in large amounts in diet. Therefore, vitamins, enzymes and minerals are micronutrients

Vitamins and Minerals	Main Functions
Fat soluble vitamins
A	Tissue growth and healing, night vision
D	Regulates Ca and P metabolism – formation of Ca₃[PO₄]₂ in bones and teeth
E	An antioxidant which prevents unsaturated fats from becoming rancid and is found with them
K	Normal clotting of blood
Water soluble vitamins
C	Metabolism, formation of connective tissue –collagen-, therefore important for healing of cuts and burns, for formation and maintenance of skin, bone, teeth: health, and for immune function
B Vitamins
B₁, Thiamine	Caloric metabolism of sugar; carbohydrate, protein, fat metabolism; brain and nervous system function; deficiency leads to muscle atrophy and paralysis in beri beri, brain disorders—part of beri beri disease—Korsakov Syndrome with anteretrogade and retrograde amnesia, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy
B₂, Riboflavin	Energy releasing, protein synthesis, growth and repair
B₃, Niacin	Virtually all biochemical pathways in caloric metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins. Deficiency results in tissue damage especially to skin, digestive tract, and nerve tissue. The progression of pellagra, due to outright niacin deficiency, is dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death
B₆, Pyridoxine	Numerous roles, especially protein metabolism and amino acid, hormone, niacin synthesis; protein caloric metabolism; glycgen – glucose catalysis; red blood cell production – deficiency leads to anemia; nervous function – deficiency leads to nervous disorders; metabolism of polyunsaturated fats
B₁₂, Cobolamine	Cell function, nucleic acid synthesis and, so, cell reproduction; therefore deficiency leads to diminished bone marrow function and anemia; deficiency also leads to megaloblastic anemia -masked by folacin- to nerve tissue and spinal cord [myelin] damage, numbness, tingling, decreased sensory function, decreased memory, lethargy, confusion and psychosis.Sources of cobolamine: meat and animal products.
Folacin	Nucleic acid synthesis. Since it masks the anemic but not the nervous system effects of decreased B₁₂, there is a legal limit on amount [0.1mg] in a vitamin B complex tablet
Pantothenic acid and choline	Significant in metabolism and synthesis, but deficiencies are unlikely except in unusual circumstances of polymalnutrition, in small children, in alcoholism. This is because they are commonly available or readily synthesized by the body.
Minerals
Sodium, potassium, cobalt	Fluid balance, acid–base balance
Calcium and phosphorus	Development and maintainence of bones and teeth. Calcium is necessary for nerve impulses, coagulation of blood, heart muscle function; phosposphorus for energy release in cells [adenosine triphosphate]
Magnesium	Enzyme activator with caloric function, protein synthesis, heart muscle function, nerve impulse transmission
Iron	Essential for red blood cells, deficiency leads to anemia. Stored as reserves in liver, spleen, bone marrow. Depletion is slow, by tissue sloughing, except in bleeding, but so is buildup; therefore, maintenance is important.
Zinc	Enzyme reactions of most major biochemical pathways, necessary for tissue growth and repair; deficiency associated with arthritis
Trace minerals	Iodine, copper, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, nickel, tin, fluorine, vanadium