| THE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMINS FOR HEALTH |
| Vitamin |
Function 1,2 |
Clinical Signs of Deficiency 1,2 |
C
(Ascorbic acid) |
Collagen metabolism; wound healing; immune function; oxidation-reduction reactions |
Follicular hyperkeratosis; skin petechiae; scurvy |
| Folic acid |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways, especially amino acid conversion and DNA synthesis |
Megaloblastic anemia |
| Niacin |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways; component of NAD and NADP |
Pellagra |
B1
(Thiamine) |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways; nerve transmission |
Beriberi; neuropathy; cardiac dysfunction |
B2
(Riboflavin) |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways; component of FMN and FAD |
Stomatitis; glossitis; seborrheic dermatitis |
B6
(Pyridoxine) |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways, especially amino acid synthesis; neurotransmission |
Stomatitis; glossitis; facial seborrheic lesions |
B12
(Cyanocobalamin) |
DNA synthesis |
Pernicious anemia |
| Pantothenic acid |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways, including glucose and fat; coenzyme A formation and fatty acid metabolism |
Nausea and vomiting; headache; muscle cramps; fatigue; burning “feet” |
| Biotin |
Essential cofactor in metabolic pathways; amino acid and fatty acid metabolism |
Dermatitis; glossitis; electrocardiographic changes |
| A |
Vision; cellular differentiation; epithelial integrity |
Night blindness; xerophthalmia; keratomalacia |
| D |
Maintenance of calcium homeostasis; bone mineralization |
Osteomalacia; hypocalcemia; rickets |
| E |
Antioxidant; integrity of membranes |
Neuropathy; hemolysis |
