Vitamins

1. Found in animal foods and converted from beta-carotene in plant foods. Required for vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, red blood cell production, and immune function. Prescription vitamin A derivatives are used to treat skin conditions (acne) and retinitis pigmentosa (genetic eye disease). Deficiency is rare in Canada, but common in developing countries due to malnutrition. It causes night blindness, dry eyes and sk .....

Vitamin B1 Thiamine

2. Required for energy production, nerve and muscle function, enzyme reactions, and fatty acid production. Deficiency causes beriberi, a disease that affects cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and gastrointestinal systems. Deficiency is common in developing countries; in North America it occurs in alcoholics, those with kidney disease, malabsorption syndromes (celiac disease), and in those with poor diets. Drugs that deplete vitamin B1: furosemi .....

Vitamin B2 Ribofl avin

3. Required for energy metabolism, enzyme reactions, vision, and skin/hair/nail health; functions as an antioxidant; activates vitamin B6, niacin, and folate. May play a role in preventing migraine headaches and cataracts. Defi ciency occurs in alcoholics, the elderly, and those with poor diets. Symptoms of deficiency include sore throat; redness/swelling of the mouth, throat, tongue, lips, and skin; decreased red blood cell count; and blood ves .....

Vitamin B3 Niacin

4. Required for energy metabolism, enzyme reactions, skin and nerve health, and digestion. High doses of nicotinic acid (3 g daily) can lower cholesterol (reduce LDL and triglycerides and increase HDL) and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke; high dosages should be supervised by a physician. Deficiency causes pellagra, the symptoms of which are skin rash, diarrhea, dementia, and death. Defi ciency may be caused by poor diet, malabsorption .....

Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid

5. Required for carbohydrate metabolism, adrenal function, enzyme reactions, and production of fats, cholesterol, bile acids, hormones, neurotransmitters, and red blood cells. Deficiency is rare, except in malnutrition, and causes burning/tingling in hands and feet, fatigue, and headache. Drugs that deplete vitamin B5: oral contraceptives, amitriptyline, imipramine, and desipramine. Most people get adequate niacin from diet and/or a multivitamin .....

Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine

6. Necessary for protein and fat metabolism, hormone function (estrogen and testosterone), and the production of red blood cells, niacin, and neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine). Used therapeutically for PMS, depression, morning sickness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart health (lowers homocysteine, an amino acid that, at high levels, can cause arteriosclerosis and build up arterial plaque). Deficiency is uncommon, except .....

Vitamin B12 Cobalamin

7. Required for nerve function, synthesis of DNA and RNA, metabolism of energy, enzyme reactions, and production of red blood cells. Used therapeutically for heart health (lowers homocysteine), male infertility, prevention of neural tube defects, asthma, and cancer prevention. Deficiency is common among the elderly and those with poor diets, pernicious anemia, depression, Alzheimer's, or malabsorption conditions (celiac disease). Deficiency symp .....

Biotin

8. Part of the B-vitamin family; involved in the synthesis of fat, glycogen, and amino acids and enzyme reactions; required for DNA replication; important for healthy hair and nails. Used therapeutically to strengthen fi ngernails. Deficiency is rare except in those with hereditary disorders of biotin metabolism, liver disease, and during pregnancy (due to increased needs). It can also occur in those who consume raw egg white for prolonged period .....

Folate Folic Acid

9. Part of the B-vitamin family; known as folate when it occurs in foods, or as folic acid when present in supplements or added to foods. Required for cell division, growth, amino acid metabolism, enzyme reactions, and production of RNA, DNA, and red blood cells. Used for heart health (lowers homocysteine) and prevention of cancer (colon and cervical) and birth defects (neural tube). Deficiency occurs in alcoholics and those with poor diets, and .....

Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid

10. Required for synthesis of collagen (structural component of blood vessels, tendons, and bone), norepinephrine (neurotransmitter), and carnitine (amino acid involved in energy production); promotes wound healing; supports immune function and gum health; and has antioxidant properties. Used to prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and colds; improve wound healing and response to stress; reduce bronchial spasms in .....

Vitamin D

11. Regulates calcium and phosphorus levels and promotes absorption of these minerals for growth of bones and teeth; involved in insulin secretion; supports immune function; regulates blood pressure. Vitamin D can be produced in the skin upon exposure to sunlight or must be obtained from the diet. Used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, psoriasis, autoimmune disease, and to reduce the risk of cancer. Deficiency occurs with inadequate dietary inta .....

Vitamin E

12. Is an antioxidant (protects cell membranes against oxidative damage; prevents LDL oxidation) that supports immune function, prevents blood clotting, and dilates blood vessels. Used to prevent and treat heart disease, cancer, macular degeneration, and cataracts, enhance immune response, reduce oxidative stress, and improve cognitive function. Deficiency is rare, except in those who are malnourished or who have fat-malabsorption conditions (celi .....

Vitamin K

13. Essential for blood clotting; required for bone formation and cell growth. Useful in the prevention of osteoporosis. Deficiency is rare in adults and causes impaired blood clotting; it is more common in newborns and can cause severe bleeding. Injections of vitamin K1 are typically given to newborns. Symptoms of deficiency include easy bruising and bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stool, or heavy menstrual bleeding). .....