Each vitamin is typically used in multiple reactions and, therefore, most have multiple functions.[17]
| Vitamin generic
descriptor name |
Vitamer A vitamer of a particular vitamin is any of the chemical compounds which exhibit vitamin activity. Very commonly "vitamins" are not single compounds, but rather each vitamin, which is defined by its biological activity, not its structure, is actually represented by a number of substances, all of which show vitamin activity. These chemical name(s) (list not complete) |
Solubility Solubility is the property of a solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical substance called solute to dissolve in a liquid solvent to form a homogeneous solution. The solubility of a substance strongly depends on the used solvent as well as on temperature and pressure. The extent of the solubility of a substance in a specific solvent is measured as the |
Recommended dietary allowances Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient which was considered (at the time they were defined) to be sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all (97–98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and sex group. The RDI is used to determine the Daily Value which is printed on food labels in the U.S. and
(male, age 19–70)[18] |
Deficiency disease |
Upper Intake Level
(UL/day)[18] |
Overdose disease |
| Vitamin A Vitamin A is linked to a family of similarly shaped molecules, the retinoids, which complete the remainder of the vitamin sequence. Its important part is the retinyl group, which can be found in several forms. In foods of animal origin, the major form of vitamin A is an ester, primarily retinyl palmitate, which is converted to an alcohol in the |
Retinoids The retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A. Retinoids are used in medicine, primarily due to the way they regulate epithelial cell growth
(retinol Retinol, the animal form of vitamin A, is a fat-soluble vitamin important in vision and bone growth. It is also a diterpenoid. Retinol is among the most usable forms of vitamin A, which also include Retinal , Retinoic acid (acid form) and retinyl ester (ester form). These chemical compounds are collectively known as Retinoids, and all possess the, retinoids The retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A. Retinoids are used in medicine, primarily due to the way they regulate epithelial cell growth
and carotenoids Carotenoids are organic pigments that are naturally occurring in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic organisms like algae, some types of fungus and some bacteria) |
Fat |
900 µg |
Night-blindness Nyctalopia is a condition making it difficult or impossible to see in relatively low light. It is a symptom of several eye diseases. Night blindness may exist from birth, or be caused by injury or malnutrition (for example, a lack of vitamin A) and
Keratomalacia Keratomalacia is an eye disorder that leads to a dry cornea. One of its major causes is a deficiency of Vitamin A[19] |
3,000 µg |
Hypervitaminosis A Signs of acute toxicity include nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and loss of muscular coordination |
| Vitamin B1 Thiamine, or thiamin, sometimes called aneurin, is a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex , whose phosphate derivatives are involved in many cellular processes. The best characterized form is thiamine diphosphate (ThDP), a coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids. In yeast, ThDP is also required in the first step of alcoholic |
Thiamine Thiamine, or thiamin, sometimes called aneurin, is a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex , whose phosphate derivatives are involved in many cellular processes. The best characterized form is thiamine diphosphate (ThDP), a coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids. In yeast, ThDP is also required in the first step of alcoholic |
Water |
1.2 mg |
Beriberi Beriberi is a nervous system ailment caused by a deficiency of thiamin (vitamin B1) in the diet. Thiamin is involved in the breakdown of energy molecules such as glucose and is also found on the membranes of neurons. Symptoms of beriberi include severe lethargy and fatigue, together with complications affecting the cardiovascular, nervous,, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a manifestation of thiamine deficiency, or beri-beri. This is usually secondary to alcohol abuse. It mainly causes vision changes, ataxia and impaired memory |
N/D[20] |
Rare hypersensitive reactions resembling anaphylactic shock—injection only;
Drowsiness
|
| Vitamin B2 Riboflavin , also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in humans and animals. It is the central component of the cofactors FAD and FMN, and is therefore required by all flavoproteins. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. Like the other B vitamins, it |
Riboflavin Riboflavin , also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in humans and animals. It is the central component of the cofactors FAD and FMN, and is therefore required by all flavoproteins. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. Like the other B vitamins, it |
Water |
1.3 mg |
Ariboflavinosis Ariboflavinosis is the medical condition caused by deficiency of riboflavin . Ariboflavinosis is most often seen in association with protein-energy malnutrition, and also in cases of alcoholism |
N/D |
? |
| Vitamin B3 Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that prevents the deficiency disease pellagra. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5NO2. It is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group at the 3-position. Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide (" |
Niacin Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that prevents the deficiency disease pellagra. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5NO2. It is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group at the 3-position. Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide (", niacinamide Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide and nicotinic acid amide, is the amide of nicotinic acid . Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group. Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is converted to niacinamide in vivo, and though the two are identical in their vitamin functions, niacinamide does not have the same |
Water |
16.0 mg |
Pellagra Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease lack of niacin . It can be caused by decreased intake of niacin, tryptophan, or perhaps leucine. It may also result from alterations in protein metabolism in disorders such as carcinoid syndrome |
35.0 mg |
Liver The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, a few of which are detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. The liver is necessary for survival; there is currently no way to compensate for the absence of liver function damage (doses > 2g/day)[21] and other problems Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that prevents the deficiency disease pellagra. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5NO2. It is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group at the 3-position. Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide (" |
| Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 , is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life (essential nutrient). Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In chemical structure, it is the amide between D-pantoate and beta-alanine. Its name is |
Pantothenic acid Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 , is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life (essential nutrient). Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In chemical structure, it is the amide between D-pantoate and beta-alanine. Its name is |
Water |
5.0 mg[22] |
Paresthesia Paresthesia is a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. It is more generally known as the feeling of "pins and needles" or of a limb being "asleep" (although this is not directly related to the phenomenon of sleep). The manifestation of paresthesia may be |
N/D |
? |
| Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B complex group. Pyridoxal phosphate is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism, including transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation. PLP also is necessary for the enzymatic reaction governing the release of glucose from glycogen |
Pyridoxine Pyridoxine is one of the compounds that can be called vitamin B6, along with pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. It differs from pyridoxamine by the substituent at the '4' position. It is often used as 'pyridoxine hydrochloride', pyridoxamine Pyridoxamine is one of the compounds composing vitamin B6, along with pyridoxal and pyridoxine. Pyridoxamine is converted to the biologically active form, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, and inhibits formation of advanced glycation endproducts, pyridoxal Pyridoxal is one of the three natural forms of vitamin B6, along with pyridoxamine and pyridoxine . All of these forms are converted in the human body into a single biologically active form, pyridoxal 5-phosphate. All three forms of vitamin B6 are heterocyclic organic compounds. Green plants are a natural source of pyridoxal, and its deficiency in |
Water |
1.3–1.7 mg |
Anemia Anemia is a decrease in normal number of red blood cells (RBCs) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin deficiency[23] peripheral neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is the term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness. Peripheral neuropathies vary in their presentation and origin, and may affect the nerve or the neuromuscular junction. |
100 mg |
Impairment of proprioception Proprioception is the sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body. Unlike the six exteroceptive senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing, and balance) by which we perceive the outside world, and interoceptive senses, by which we perceive the pain and movement of internal organs, proprioception is a third distinct sensory, nerve damage (doses > 100 mg/day) |
| Vitamin B7 Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is composed of an ureido ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. A valeric acid substituent is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the tetrahydrothiophene ring. Biotin is a cofactor in the metabolism of fatty acids and leucine, and it plays a role in |
Biotin Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is composed of an ureido ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. A valeric acid substituent is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the tetrahydrothiophene ring. Biotin is a cofactor in the metabolism of fatty acids and leucine, and it plays a role in |
Water |
30.0 µg |
Dermatitis Dermatitis is a blanket term meaning any "inflammation of the skin" . There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens. The term may be used to refer to eczema, which is also known as dermatitis eczema or eczematous dermatitis. A diagnosis of eczema, enteritis In medicine, enteritis refers to inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by the ingestion of substances contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and fever. See also inflammation of related organs of the gastrointestinal system: gastritis , gastroenteritis ( |
N/D |
? |
| Vitamin B9 Folic acid and folate (the naturally occurring form), as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid and pteroyl-L-glutamate, are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9. Vitamin B9 (folic acid and folate inclusive) is essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from nucleotide biosynthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. It is especially important |
Folic acid Folic acid and folate (the naturally occurring form), as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid and pteroyl-L-glutamate, are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9. Vitamin B9 (folic acid and folate inclusive) is essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from nucleotide biosynthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. It is especially important, folinic acid Folinic acid or leucovorin (USAN), generally administered as calcium folinate (or leucovorin calcium), is an adjuvant used in cancer chemotherapy involving the drug methotrexate. It is also used in synergistic combination with the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil |
Water |
400 µg |
Deficiency during pregnancy is associated with birth defects Congenital disorder involves defects in or damage to a developing fetus. It may be the result of genetic abnormalities, the intrauterine environment, errors of morphogenesis, or a chromosomal abnormality. The outcome of the disorder will further depend on complex interactions between the pre-natal deficit and the post-natal environment. Congenital, such as neural tube In the developing vertebrate, the neural tube is the embryo's precursor to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. The neural groove gradually deepens as the neural folds become elevated, and ultimately the folds meet and coalesce in the middle line and convert the groove into a closed tube, the neural tube or neural defects |
1,000 µg |
Possible decrease in seizure threshold |
| Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy |
Cyanocobalamin Cyanocobalamin is an especially common vitamer of the B-12 vitamin family. It is the most famous vitamer of the family, because it is chemically the most air-stable, and it is the easiest to crystallize and therefore easiest to purify after it is produced by bacterial fermentation. The cyanide is added to the molecule by activated charcoal columns, hydroxycobalamin Hydroxocobalamin is a natural analog of vitamin B-12, a basic member of the cobalamin family of compounds. It has an intense red color. Vitamin B12 is a term that refers to a group of compounds called cobalamins that are available in the human body in a variety of mostly interconvertible forms. Together with folic acid, cobalamins are essential, methylcobalamin |
Water |
2.4 µg |
Megaloblastic anemia Megaloblastic anemia is an anemia which results from inhibition of DNA synthesis in red blood cell production. This is often due to deficiency of vitamin B12 and/or folic acid. Megaloblastic anemia not due to hypovitaminosis but may be caused by antimetabolites which poison DNA production, such as alcohol and some chemotherapeutic or antimicrobial[24] |
N/D |
No known toxicity[25] |
| Vitamin C Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans, a large number of higher primate species, a small number of other mammalian species , a few species of birds, and some fish |
Ascorbic acid Ascorbic acid is a sugar acid with antioxidant properties. Its appearance is white to light-yellow crystals or powder, and it is water-soluble. One form of ascorbic acid is commonly known as vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbuticus (scurvy), the disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. In 1937 the Nobel Prize for chemistry was |
Water |
90.0 mg |
Scurvy Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The chemical name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus. Scurvy leads to the formation of spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from the mucous membranes. The spots are most |
2,000 mg |
Vitamin C megadosage |
| Vitamin D |
Ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol |
Fat |
5.0 µg–10 µg[26] |
Rickets and Osteomalacia |
50 µg |
Hypervitaminosis D |
| Vitamin E |
Tocopherols, tocotrienols |
Fat |
15.0 mg |
Deficiency is very rare; mild hemolytic anemia in newborn infants.[27] |
1,000 mg |
Increased congestive heart failure seen in one large randomized study.[28] |
| Vitamin K |
phylloquinone, menaquinones |
Fat |
120 µg |
Bleeding diathesis |
N/D |
Increases coagulation in patients taking warfarin.[29] |
