1. Vitamin A
Helth benefits:
Essential for immune system
Maintenance of normal vision and night vision
Necessary for growth; induces differentiation of cells
Deficiencies:
Causes night blindness,xerosis,Corneal Ulcer
2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Health Benefits:
Vital for healthy nervous system and nerve transmission.
Essential in converting glucose to energy
Deficiencies:
Cause koraskoff syndrome,wet beri beri,wernicke encephalopathy.
3. Vitamin B2( Riboflavin)
Helth Benefits:
Essential for metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and lipids and for the degradation of fatty acids and the synthesis of ATP
Acts as an intermediary in the transfer of electrons in oxidation-reduction reactions
Necessary for the function of vitamins B-6, folic acid, and niacin
Involved in formation of red blood cells and maintenance of body tissues, particularly the skin and eyes
Deficiencies:
Stomatitis ,cheilosis,seborrheic dermatitis.
4. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Health benefits:
Significant decrease in heart disease.
It helps lower the level of bad cholesterol.
Other health benefits of vitamin B3 include a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, osteoarthritis, and type-1 diabetes.
It is beneficial for a healthy nervous system and a well-functioning digestive system. The minimum amount of vitamin B3 required for healthy living varies with age.
Deficiencies:Pellagra(Diarrhea,dermatitis,dementia)
5. Vitamin B6
Health Benefits:
Necessary for immune system function, hormone modulation, gluconeogenesis
Essential in making certain amino acids and turning others into hormones
Involved in metabolizing polyunsaturated fats and proteins
Used to build red blood cells and maintain nerve tissue
Formation of niacin
Deficiencies:
Cheilosis,Glossitis.
6. Vitamin B12
Health Benefits:
Works with folic acid to
produce red blood cells
Helps build and maintain protective nerve sheaths
Needed for RNA and DNA synthesis
Deficiencies: Megaloblastic anemia,Pernicious Anemia
7. Vitamin C
Health Benefits:
Inhibits formation of carcinogenic compounds
Activates liver-detoxifying systems
Enhances function of key white blood cells involved in the destruction of bacteria
Antioxidant to inactivate highly reactive oxygen species; protects against damage to lipids and other molecules
Protects cellular functions
Protects vitamin E
Integral to maintenance and building of collagen, a protein that holds the body’s cells in place
Vital to bones and teeth, blood vessels, healing of wounds, and iron absorption
Helps metabolize several amino acids and hormones
Deficiencies:Coagulopathy,poor wound healing.
8. Folate
Health benefits:
Great for the Heart
Promotes Sperm Viability
Supports Normal Fetal Development
May Reduce the Risk of Stroke
Provides Neurological Support
Encourages Normal Cholesterol Level
Helps Perinatal Mood Management
Great for Colon Health
Deficiency:Megaloblastic anemia.
9. Vitamin D
Health Benefits:
Helps to maintain constant levels of calcium in the blood
Important in insulin and prolactin secretion, muscle function, immune and stress response, melanin synthesis, and cellular differentiation
Vital for kidney and parathyroid gland function
Necessary for healthy bones
Deficiencies: Osteomalacia in adult,Rickets in children.
10. Vitamin E
Health benefits:
Protects vitamin A from oxidation during digestion
Enhances immune response
Inhibits carcinogens from reaching target sites
Can stop neurological problems associated with cystic fibrosis, liver disease early in disease process
Detoxifies free radicals, prevents damage to cell membranes
Prevents LDL cholesterol from turning into damaging oxidized LDL, which initiates buildup of arterial plaque which can lead to heart disease .
Deficiencies: Gait disturbances,Opthalmoplegia.
11. Vitamin K
Health benefits:
Helps blood coagulate
In conjunction with vitamins A and D helps body build bone protein
Given as injection to newborns to help blood clot, sometimes to women before labor or to patients before and after surgery
Deficiency: Coagulopathy.