Vitamins Part 1 Overview

Vitamin A

• Bitot's spots are caused by a primary deficiency of vitamin A
• Keratomalacia is caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin A

Vitamin D

• Vitamin D affects calcium and phosphorus levels in the body by regulating their absorption and utilization
• Vitamin D is referred to as a hormone because it is produced in the body and has a specific biological function
• A toxic manifestation of excessive vitamin D intake is hypercalcemia
• The primary function of vitamin D in the body is to regulate calcium homeostasis
• Causes of vitamin D deficiency include limited sun exposure, dark skin, and kidney or liver disease

Vitamins in General

• Provitamins are inactive forms of vitamins that can be converted to active forms in the body
• Vitamers are different forms of a vitamin that have similar biological activity
• Vitamins play a role as enzyme cofactors, helping to facilitate chemical reactions in the body
• Vitamins differ from carbohydrates and lipids in that they do not provide energy
• Vitamins are distinguished from hormones in that they are not produced by specific glands and do not have specific targets
• A characteristic that describes vitamins accurately is that they are organic compounds required in small quantities for various physiological functions
• Vitamins do not enter tissue structures because they are not building blocks of tissues

Specific Vitamin (not specified which one)

• A distinguishing feature of the synthesis of this vitamin is that it differs from classical vitamins
• The average half-life of this vitamin is not specified
• This vitamin regulates its own action when not required by degrading its receptor
• This vitamin binds to a nuclear receptor before entering the nucleus to control gene regions

Vitamin K

• A person with chronic liver disease suffers from manifestations of vitamin D deficiency because the liver is necessary for vitamin D activation
• The different forms of vitamin K mentioned in the text are not specified
• The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin K according to the text is not specified
• A deficiency of vitamin C differs from a deficiency of vitamin K in that vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, while vitamin K deficiency causes bleeding disorders

Explore the importance of vitamins as essential organic compounds required by the body for growth and health. Learn about provitamins, which are precursors converted into vitamins, and vitamers, which are different forms of a vitamin. Dive into the biochemical functions of vitamins.