Vitamins D and E

Vitamins Overview

• Essential organic compounds required in small dietary amounts.
• Classifications:
  • Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K)
  • Water-soluble (C, B complex)

Vitamin C

• Necessary for synthesizing dopamine and bile acids.
• Deficiency leads to Scurvy, resulting in symptoms like hemorrhage, impaired wound healing, and bone formation issues.
• Oral manifestations include bleeding gums and loose teeth.
• Rich sources: fruits and vegetables.
• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): 60 mg/day.

Vitamin D

• Regulates calcium levels affecting the intestine, kidney, and bones.
• Formed from Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) after conversion to 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3.
• Deficiency causes Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, leading to softened bones.
• Associated with incomplete mineralization of teeth.

Vitamin A

• Functions as a precursor for retinal (visual cycle) and retinoic acid (epithelial cell maintenance).
• Deficiency results in night blindness and keratinization of epithelial cells.
• Oral health issues include gingivitis and periodontitis.
• Sources include orange/yellow vegetables, eggs, and fish liver oil.
• Retinoids are compounds with Vitamin A activity; β-carotene is a precursor to retinol.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

• Converted to thiamine pyrophosphate, essential for carbohydrate energy conversion and supporting cardiac and nervous functions.
• Deficiency leads to Beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, polyneuritis, and cardiac issues.
• Oral manifestations: red, smooth sore tongue (satin-like appearance) and angular cheilitis.
• Found in beef, beans, nuts, bananas, and green peas.

Vitamin E

• Functions as a lipid-soluble antioxidant, preventing lipid damage.
• Deficiency linked to erythrocyte lysis.
• Sources include vegetables and wheat germ oil.
• RDA: 15 international units.

Vitamin K

• Serves as a coenzyme for the carboxylation of glutamate in blood clotting factors (prothrombin, factors VII, IX, and X).
• Rare deficiency can prolong blood clotting time.
• Oral manifestation includes gingival bleeding.
• Produced by intestinal bacteria.
• RDA: 70-140 µg may be appropriate.