Water Soluble Vitamins

The name water-soluble vitamin suggests that these vitamins that are soluble (dissolve) in water. This is why they are constantly flushed out from the body and need to be replenished frequently. Examples of water soluble vitamins are: Vitamins in B-group and vitamin C. These vitamins are given below:

Biotin – (Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H)

• Function:
  • Plays a role in energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates.
  • Essential for the health of the skin, hair, and nails.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Deficiency can cause symptoms like hair loss, skin rashes, neurological problems, and impaired growth in infants.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin-C)

• Function of Vitamin C:
  • Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
  • Required for the synthesis of collagen, a protein vital for wound healing, skin, and connective tissue health.
  • Supports the immune system, helping in the body’s defense against infections.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Scurvy: Characterized by weakness, fatigue, swollen and bleeding gums, and impaired wound healing due to collagen breakdown.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

• Function of Niacin:
  • Plays a role in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
  • Helps in the energy production by facilitating enzymatic reactions involved in cellular respiration.
  • Niacin also supports nervous system function and promotes healthy skin.
• Deficiency of Niacin:
  • Pellagra: Characterized by symptoms such as dermatitis, dementia, and potentially death if left untreated.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

• Function of Folic Acid:
  • Essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and red blood cells.
  • Important for cell division and growth, especially during pregnancy.
  • Role in amino acid metabolism
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Megaloblastic anemia: where red blood cells are larger than normal and unable to function properly.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

• Function:
  • Role in converting carbohydrates into energy.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Beriberi: Characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, nerve damage, and heart problems.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

• Function:
  • Role in energy production by aiding in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Ariboflavinosis: Characterized by symptoms such as sore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat, and cheilosis

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

• Vitamin B5 Function:
  • Plays a role in the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA)
  • Involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and steroid hormones.
  • Contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Pantothenic acid deficiency: Can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and muscle cramps.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

• Vitamin B6 Function:
  • Role in bodily functions, including metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and immune function.
  • It is involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, and helps in the production of red blood cells.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Anemia,
  • Dermatiti
  • Neurological symptoms such as confusion and depression

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

• Cobalamin Function:
  • Role in bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and maintenance of nerve cells.
  • Essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
  • Also involved in converting food into energy and supporting the normal development of the brain and nervous system in infants.
• Deficiency Disease:
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Long-term deficiency can result in irreversible nerve damage and neurological disorders.

Vitamins are essential organic compounds required in small amounts for various physiological functions. Understanding vitamin sources and functions helps us maintain a healthy balanced diet which protects us from any vitamin-deficiency diseases. This article will cover types of vitamins, their sources, functions, and deficiency diseases.