Vitamins: Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble

Study Notes

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A:
- Important for vision, immune function, and skin health
- Food sources: sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, and liver
- Deficiency: night blindness, impaired immune function
Vitamin D:
- Crucial for bone health and immune function
- Obtained through sun exposure, supplements, and fortified foods
- Deficiency: rickets, osteomalacia, increased risk of infections
Vitamin E:
- Acts as antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
- Food sources: nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens
- Deficiency: rare, but can cause nerve damage and impaired immunity
Vitamin K:
- Essential for blood clotting and bone health
- Food sources: leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
- Deficiency: bleeding disorders, impaired bone health

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C:
- Important for immune function, collagen production, and iron absorption
- Food sources: citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli
- Deficiency: scurvy, impaired wound healing
Thiamin (Vitamin B1):
- Necessary for energy production and nerve function
- Food sources: whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Deficiency: beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2):
- Important for energy production and vision health
- Food sources: dairy products, leafy greens, and whole grains
- Deficiency: cracked lips, mouth sores, and itchy eyes
Niacin (Vitamin B3):
- Crucial for energy production and skin health
- Food sources: meat, fish, whole grains, and legumes
- Deficiency: pellagra, diarrhea, dermatitis
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5):
- Necessary for energy production and hormone synthesis
- Food sources: meat, whole grains, and legumes
- Deficiency: rare, but can cause fatigue and numbness
Vitamin B6:
- Important for energy production, nerve function, and immune system
- Food sources: meat, fish, whole grains, and legumes
- Deficiency: impaired nerve function, microcytic anemia
Biotin:
- Necessary for energy production, nerve function, and skin health
- Food sources: eggs, nuts, and whole grains
- Deficiency: rare, but can cause hair loss, skin rash, and fatigue
Folate (Vitamin B9):
- Crucial for fetal development during pregnancy
- Food sources: dark leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals
- Deficiency: megaloblastic anemia, impaired fetal development

Description

Learn about the different types of vitamins, their functions, food sources, and deficiency symptoms. This quiz covers fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and water-soluble vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, and B9.