A lucid presentation on Nutritional importance of vitamins and minerals for medical , dental , pharmacology and biotechnology students to facilitate easy-learning.

1. Nutritional importance of
Vitamins and minerals
Dr.Rohini C Sane

2. Dr.Rohini C Sane
Nutritional importance of Vitamins

3. Dietary sources fat soluble vitamins
fat soluble
Vitamin
Food sources
Vitamin A ripe mango,papaya,carrot,beet root,leafy vegetables
Vitamin B
complex
Par boiled rice,whole wheat powder,green leafy vegetables
Vitamin D
fish liver oils,egg yolk, fortified milk , butter, yeast ( precursor
of vitamin D), exposure of skin to sunlight for synthesis of
vitamins D
Vitamin E
vegetable oils( wheat germ oil, cotton seed oil, peanut
oil ,sunflower oil), milk ,butter ,eggs, meat
Vitamin K
Cabbage,Cauliflower,tomatoes,alfa alfa,spinach ,green leafy
vegetables,cheese , dairy products, egg yolk, meat, liver

4. Dietary sources of vitamin B complex
Vitamin B Food sources
Thiamine
(Vitamin B1)
bran(outer layer)of cereals ,pulses,nuts, oil seeds, yeast,
milk , parboiled and milled rice, animal foods
(liver,heart ,kidney,pork)
Riboflavin
(vitamin B2)
Milk ,milk products, cereals,fruits, leafy vegetables,
animal sources (meat, liver kidney,eggs)
Niacin
(vitaminB3)
yeast, whole grains, cereals ,pulses (beans,peanuts) , milk,
vegetables,fish, eggs, liver, 10% Niacin coenzymes are
synthesised from dietary Tryptophan(conversion ratio 60 : 1)
Pyridoxine
(Vitamin B6)
wheat,corn, cabbage, roots,tubers,animal sources (meat,
egg yolk, fish)
Biotin
(vitamin B7)
milk, tomatoes, grains, milk,animal sources (meat, egg yolk,
liver)
Pantothenic
acid
(coenzymes A)
widely distributed in plants and animals, yeast,milk,animal
sources (meat, egg yolk,liver)
Folic acid green leafy vegetables,whole grains,cereals,yeast,eggs
Cobalamin
(vitamin B12)
curd( lactobacillus synthesised vitamin B12), milk,liver,
kidney,eggs yolk , fish ,pork, chicken

5. Dietary sources of Ascorbic acid(Vitamin C)
• Citrus fruits
• Amla( goose berry)
• Guava
• Tomatoes
• Potato
Adrenal gland and gonads have high content of vitamin C.

6. Deficiency manifestations of fat soluble vitamins
Fat soluble
vitamin
Major functions Deficiency manifestations
Vitamin A
(Retinol)
Vision ,growth, reproduction
Nyctalopia, xerophthalmia,
keratomalacia, Bitot’s spots
Vitamin D
(Cholecalciferol)
Calcification of bone and teeth ,
regulation of Calcium metabolism
(increase the intestinal absorption
of Ca in intestine, minimise
excretion and increase absorption
of Ca & P through kidney)
Rickets (in children),
osteomalacia( in adults),
renal rickets(renal
osteodystrophy)
Vitamin E
(Tocopherol ,
Tocotrienols )
membrane antioxidant ,prevent
hemolysis of RBC, synthesis of
heme and nucleic acids,
stabilisation of coenzyme Q
(ETC) , delay onset of cataract in
association with vitamin A,C&
beta carotene
Lipid peroxidation ,
haemolytic anemia
( in premature,
newborn),neurological
symptoms, degenerative
changes in muscles
Vitamin K
(Menaquinone)
Blood clotting , carboxylation of
osteocalcin
prothrombin and bleeding
time increased

7. Nutritional importance of Vitamin B-complex
Type of Vitamin B Major Functions
Thiamine carbohydrate metabolism, neural functions
Riboflavin oxidation reduction reactions
Niacin oxidation reduction reactions
Pyridoxine Amino acids, phospholipids and glycogen metabolism
Pantothenic acid general metabolism
Biotin carboxylation metabolism
Folic acid nucleic acid and amino acid synthesis
Cyanocobalamin amino acid and branched chain keto acid metabolism

8. Deficiency manifestation of Vitamin B-complex
Type of Vitamin B Coenzyme Deficiency manifestation
Thiamine
Thiamine pyrophosphate
(TPP)
Beriberi,
Wernicke Korsakoff’s syndrome
Riboflavin
Flavin adenine
dinucleotide (FAD)
Glossitis ,
Angular stomatitis,photophobia
Niacin
Niacin adenine
dinucleotide (NAD,NADP)
Pellagra
(dermititis ,diarrhoea ,dementia)
Pyridoxine Pyridoxal phosphate(PLP) anemia,Seizures,homocystinuria
Pantothenic acid Coenzyme A Burning feet syndrome
Biotin Biotin Dermatitis
Folic acid Tetrahydrofolic acid(THFA) Microcytic anemia
Cyanocobalamin
Adenosyl methyl
cobalamin
Pernicious
anemia,Megaloblastic
anemia,neuropathy

9. Scurvy -Deficiency manifestations of vitamin C
Clinical manifestation of Scurvy (deficiency of Vitamin C):
1. spongy gums
2. loose teeth
3. anaemia
4. swollen joints
5. fragile blood vessels
6. delayed wound healing
7. osteoporosis
8. haemorrhage
9. sluggish hormonal function of adrenal cortex and gonads
10.decreased immunocompetence
Most of these symptoms are related to impairment in the
synthesis of collagen and /or the antioxidant property of
vitamin C.

10. Dr. Rohini C Sane
Nutritional importance of minerals

11. Dietary sources of Macro-minerals
Macro-mineral Food sources
Calcium milk ,cereals,pulses,green leafy vegetables,fish ,eggs
Phosphorous milk ,cereals,pulses,green leafy vegetables,meat ,eggs
Magnesium
milk ,cereals, nuts,
vegetables(cabbage ,cauliflower),meat ,egg
Sulphur sulphur containing amino acids (Methionine, Cysteine)
Sodium table salt, milk , nuts, vegetables ,meat ,eggs,whole grains
potassium
banana, orange,pineapple , potato,beans, tender coconut
water ,liver,chicken
Chlorine table salt, whole grains, leafy vegetables, eggs ,milk

12. Dietary sources of Micro-minerals
Micro-mineral Food sources
Iron
rich sources: meat, Liver,heart ,kidney ,Jaggery
Good sources: pulses, cereals, leafy vegetables, apples , fish
poor sources: milk, wheat ,polished rice
Copper
meat, Liver,heart ,kidney, egg yolk , nuts, cereals,leafy
vegetables
Iodine sea foods,drinking water, fruits (grown on sea board)
Fluorine Drinking water
Zinc meat, fish,eggs,milk, beans ,nuts
Selenium sea food, meat (liver,kidney)
Manganese tea (rich source),cereals,nuts,leafy vegetables,fruits
Molybdenum vegetables
Chromium brewer’s yeast ,grains,cereals, cheese,meat
Cobalt foods of animal origin

13. Nutritional importance of Macro-elements and their deficiency
manifestations:1
Macro-element
and its RDA
Major functions Deficiency manifestations
symptoms
Calcium
(0.8-1g/day)
constituent of bones and teeth ,
muscle contraction , nerve impulse
transmission,second messenger
for hormones e.g. epinephrine
Rickets ,osteomalacia ,
osteoporosis
Phosphorous
(0.8-1g/day)
constituent of bones and
teeth ,formation of high energy
phosphates , nucleic acids and
nucleotide coenzymes
Rickets ,osteomalacia ,
osteoporosis
Magnesium
( 300-350 mg/
day)
constituent of bones and teeth,
cofactor for enzymes e.g.kinases
Neuromuscular
weakness, irritation
Sulphur
(not specific)
constituent of sulphur containing
amino acids ,certain vitamins
(Thiamine,Biotin),other
compounds Heparin, Chondroitin
sulphate
unknown(adequate intake
of sulphur containing
amino acids meet the
body needs). need

14. Nutritional importance of Macro-elements
and their deficiency manifestations:2
Macro-element
and its RDA
Major functions
Deficiency
manifestation /
symptoms
Sodium
(5-10g/day)
chief cation of extracellular fluids ,
to maintain acid-base balance and
osmotic pressure , involved in
neural and muscular functions
almost unknown on
regular diet
Potassium
(3-4 g/day)
Chief cation of intracellular fluids ,
to maintain acid-base balance and
osmotic pressure , involved in
neural and muscular functions
almost unknown on
regular diet
Chlorine
(5-10g/day)
Regulation of acid- base
balance,formation of HCl
almost unknown on
regular diet

15. Nutritional importance of Micro-elements and their
deficiency manifestations:1
Micro-element
and its RDA
Major functions
Deficiency
manifestation /
symptoms
Iron
(10-15mg/day)
constituent of heme ( haemoglobin ,
myoglobin ,cytochromes) , involved
in O2 transport and biological
oxidation
Hypochromic,microcytic
anaemia , low ferritin
stores , high plasma
transferrin levels
Copper
( 2-3mg/day)
constituent of enzymes( cytochrome
oxidase ,cytosolic super oxide
dismutase, catalase, Tyrosinase,
Lysyl oxidase, Dopamine hydroxyl),
involved iron transport
hypochromic
microcytic
anaemia ,Menke’s
disease, reduced ATP
synthesis & myelin
formation,Iodine
(150-200micro
gram/day)
constituent of triiodothyronine(T3),
Thyroxine(T4)
cretinism in children,
goiter ,myxoedema in
adults
Fluorine
(2-4mg/day)
helps in development of bones and
teeth, protection against dental
caries and osteoporosis
osteoporosis ,dental
caries

16. Nutritional importance of Micro-elements and their deficiency manifestations :2
Micro-element
and its RDA
Major functions
Deficiency
manifestation
(symptoms)
Zinc
(10-15mg/
day)
Cofactor for enzymes (alcohol
dehydrogenase, carbonic anhydrase,
Lactate dehydrogenase, super oxide
dismutase)
growth retardation,
poor wound healing ,
hypogonadism,
Acrodermititis
enteropathica
Selenium
(50-200mg/
day)
Involved in anti-oxidant function along with
vitamin E prevents lipid peroxidation,
constituent of selenocysteine (5’deiodinase,
glutathione peroxidase,)immune response ,
synthesis ubiquinone , growth,
detoxification of heavy metals
(mercury,cadmium) , fertility
Keshan disease,
muscular dystrophy/
degeneration ,
cardiomyopathy (in
China) , arrhythmias,
pancreatic fibrosis
Manganese
(2-9 mg/day)
Cofactor for enzymes (Mn-dependent
Superoxide dismutase , diamine oxidase
pyruvate carboxylase) , involved in
glycoprotein synthesis, Activation of enzymes
( Arginase, Cholinesterase , Glycosyl
transferase, RNA polymerase ) inhibits lipid
peroxidation , participate CNS & reproductive
functions
increase prothrombin
and bleeding time,
(causes bleeding) ,
diminished activity of
beta pancreatic cells,
retarded growth,
sterility

17. Nutritional importance of Micro-elements and their deficiency manifestations:3
Micro-element
and its RDA
Major functions Deficiency manifestation
(symptoms)
Molybdenum
(75-250mcg/
day)
constituent of enzymes(e.g.
Xanthine oxidase,aldehyde oxidase
and sulphite oxidase)
increased excretion of
xanthine and decreased
excretion of uric acid(due to
decreased activity of
xanthine oxidase )
Chromium
( 10-100 mcg /
day)
promotes insulin function (stimulates
glucose utilisation and functions as
glucose tolerance factor), lowers
LDLand increase HDL,transport of
amino acids in liver and heart
impaired glucose tolerance
and growth , disturbances
in carbohydrate , protein
and fat metabolism
Cobalt
(5-8mcg/day)
constituent of vitamin B12 required
for formation of erythrocytes), for
activity of methylmalonyl CoA
mutase , methyltetrahydrofolate
oxidoreductase ,ribonucleotide
reductase, homocysteine methyl
transferase
Pernicious anaemia,
( associated with
homocysteine methyl
transferase and vitamin
B12 deficiency)

18. Clinical manifestations of toxicity of Micro-elements:1
Micro-element and
its RDA
Clinical manifestations of toxicity of micro- elements
(symptoms)
Iron
(10-15 mg/day)
Hemosiderosis (excess storage of iron in the form
hemosiderin causing parenchymal cells of liver),
Hepatomegaly, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, Bronze
diabetes ( pancreatic islet cell destruction and diabetes
mellitus associated with bronzed pigmentation of
skin),cardiac arrhythmias and failure, Bantu siderosis,
hypogonadism
Copper (2-3mg/day)
Copper deposition in kidney, liver (due to reduced
excretion into bile) , lenticular nucleus of the brain and
Descement ’s membrane of the cornea (Kayser -Fleischer
ring) ,Increased excretion of copper in urine(due to
reduced incorporation of copper into ceruloplasmin)
Iodine
(150-200microgram
/day)
Thyrotoxicosis

19. Clinical manifestations of toxicity of Micro-elements:2
micro-element
and its RDA
clinical manifestations of toxicity of micro-element
(symptoms)
Fluorine
(2-4mg/day)
dental fluorosis( mottled enamel), loss of enamel with
pitting of teeth, increases bone density , induces hyper
calcification of the bones of the limbs , spine and pelvis ,
calcification of Collagen in the bones and the ligaments of
the spine.
Zinc
(10-15mg/day)
nausea , vomiting ,gastric ulcer, pancreatitis , respiratory
distress , pulmonary fibrosis, anaemia,excessive salivation
on inhalation of Zn oxide fumes during welding
Selenium
(50-200mg/day)
Selenosis (weight loss, Alopecia, dermatitis, lassitude and
irritability, diarrhoea, garlic odour in breath(due to dimethyl
selenide)
Manganese
(2-9 mg/day)
neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, impaired organic
matrix of bone and cartilage (skeletal deformities and
impaired growth)

20. Clinical manifestations of toxicity of Micro-elements:3
Micro-element and its RDA
Clinical manifestations of toxicity of micro-
element (symptoms)
Molybdenum
(75-250mcg/day)
Molybedenosis (growth retardation, anaemia ,
diarrhoea , absorption of copper impaired)
Chromium
(10-100 mg /day)
occupational hazard causing dermatitis ,liver
damage,kidney failure and lung cancer(tobacco)
Cobalt
(5-8mcg/day)
polycythemia (increased RBC in blood), inhibition
of iodine uptake ,development of goitre
Lithium
(50 mcg / day)
hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism ,kidney
damage , lethal (plasma Li > 12mcg / mL)
Nickel
(500mcg/day)
carcinogenesis

21. Thank you