Vitamins – Chemical Names, Deficiency Disease, Sources

A vitamin is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts. Vitamins have diverse biochemical functions. Some, such as vitamin D, have hormone-like functions as regulators of mineral metabolism, or regulators of cell and tissue growth and differentiation (such as some forms of vitamin A). Others function as antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E and sometimes vitamin C).

Fat Soluble Vitamins: A,D,E and K. If these are taken in excess, they causes a condition known as Hyper Vitaminosis (cause of hair cracked mouth) Water Soluble Vitamins: B,C and P. If these vitamins are taken in excess, they washed away.

Vitamin	Scientific Name	Deficiency Disease	Food Sources
Vitamin A	Retinol	Night blindness	Liver, Orange, Ripe Yellow Fruits, Leafy Vegetables, Carrots, Pumpkin, Squash, Spinach, Fish, Soya Milk, Milk
Vitamin B1	Thiamine	Beriberi	Pork, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Vegetables, Potatoes, Liver, Eggs
Vitamin B2	Riboflavin	Ariboflavinosis, Glossitis	Dairy Products, Bananas, Popcorn, Green Beans, Asparagus
Vitamin B3	Niacin	Pellagra	Meat, Fish, Eggs, Many Vegetables, Mushrooms, Tree Nuts
Vitamin B5	Pantothenic Acid	Paresthesia	Meat, Broccoli, Avocados
Vitamin B6	Pyridoxine	Anemia peripheral neuropathy.	Meat, Vegetables, Tree Nuts, Bananas
Vitamin B7	Biotin	Dermatitis, enteritis	Raw Egg Yolk, Liver, Peanuts, Leafy Green Vegetables
Vitamin B9	Folic Acid	Megaloblastic anemia	Leafy Vegetables, Pasta, Bread, Cereal, Liver
Vitamin B12	Cyanoco-balamin	Megaloblastic anemia	Meat And Other Animal Products
Vitamin C	Ascorbic Acid	Scurvy	Many Fruits And Vegetables, Liver
Vitamin D	Cholecalciferol	Rickets and Osteomalacia	Fish, Eggs, Liver, Mushrooms
Vitamin E	Tocopherols	Deficiency is very rare; Sterility in malesAndabortions in females	Many Fruits And Vegetables, Nuts And Seeds
Vitamin K	Phylloquinone	Bleeding diathesis	Leafy Green Vegetables Such As Spinach, Egg Yolks, Liver