Vitamins and Coenzymes: Fat-soluble Vitamins

Vitamins and Coenzymes

Fat-soluble Vitamins

• Vitamins that can dissolve in fats and oils
• Can be stored in the body, primarily in the liver and fatty tissues
• Include:
  1. Vitamin A (retinol)
     • Important for vision, immune function, and skin health
  2. Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
     • Essential for bone health and calcium absorption
  3. Vitamin E (tocopherol)
     • Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
  4. Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
     • Necessary for blood clotting and bone health

Water-soluble Vitamins

• Vitamins that can dissolve in water
• Cannot be stored in the body, excess amounts are excreted in the urine
• Include:
  1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
     • Important for immune function, collagen production, and iron absorption
  2. Vitamin B complex
     • Includes:
       • Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
       • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
       • Niacin (Vitamin B3)
       • Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)
       • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
       • Biotin
       • Folate (Vitamin B9)
       • Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
     • Important for energy metabolism, nerve function, and heart health

Vitamin Deficiencies

• Can occur due to inadequate diet, malabsorption, or increased demand
• Can lead to various health problems, such as:
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Impaired immune function
  • Skin problems
  • Poor wound healing
  • Increased risk of chronic diseases

Cofactor Functions

• Vitamins and coenzymes act as cofactors, enabling enzymes to catalyze chemical reactions
• Cofactors can:
  • Activate enzymes
  • Stabilize enzymes
  • Facilitate substrate binding
  • Enhance enzyme activity
• Examples of cofactor functions:
  • Coenzyme A (CoA) in fatty acid metabolism
  • Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in energy metabolism
  • Tetrahydrofolate (THF) in amino acid metabolism

Vitamins and Coenzymes

Fat-soluble Vitamins

• Can dissolve in fats and oils
• Can be stored in the body, primarily in the liver and fatty tissues
• Include:
  • Vitamin A (retinol): essential for vision, immune function, and skin health
  • Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): essential for bone health and calcium absorption
  • Vitamin E (tocopherol): acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
  • Vitamin K (phylloquinone): necessary for blood clotting and bone health

Water-soluble Vitamins

• Can dissolve in water
• Cannot be stored in the body, excess amounts are excreted in the urine
• Include:
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): essential for immune function, collagen production, and iron absorption
  • Vitamin B complex:
    • Thiamin (Vitamin B1): important for energy metabolism
    • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): important for energy metabolism
    • Niacin (Vitamin B3): important for energy metabolism
    • Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): important for energy metabolism
    • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): important for energy metabolism
    • Biotin: important for energy metabolism
    • Folate (Vitamin B9): important for energy metabolism
    • Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): important for energy metabolism and nerve function

Vitamin Deficiencies

• Can occur due to inadequate diet, malabsorption, or increased demand
• Can lead to various health problems, including:
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Impaired immune function
  • Skin problems
  • Poor wound healing
  • Increased risk of chronic diseases

Cofactor Functions

• Vitamins and coenzymes act as cofactors, enabling enzymes to catalyze chemical reactions
• Cofactors can:
  • Activate enzymes
  • Stabilize enzymes
  • Facilitate substrate binding
  • Enhance enzyme activity
• Examples of cofactor functions:
  • Coenzyme A (CoA) in fatty acid metabolism
  • Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in energy metabolism
  • Tetrahydrofolate (THF) in amino acid metabolism

Learn about the characteristics and functions of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. Understand their importance for human health, including vision, immune function, bone health, and more.