The Fat-Soluble Vitamins

1. The Fat-Soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K

2. The Fat-Soluble Vitamins

3. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Retinoids and carotenoids • Vitamin A activity

4. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene

5. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Retinol-binding protein (RBP)

6. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Roles in the body • Vitamin A in vision

7. Roles in the body • Vitamin A in protein synthesis and cell differentiation

8. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Roles in the body • Vitamin A in reproduction and growth • Beta-carotene as an antioxidant

9. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Recommendations • Retinol activity equivalents (RAE)

10. Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene • Vitamin A in foods • The colors of vitamin A foods • Vitamin A-poor fast foods • Vitamin A-rich liver

11. In Summary • Other names • Retinol • Retinal • Retinoic acid • Precursors are carotenoids such as beta-carotene • 2001 RDA • Men: 900 g RAE/day • Women: 700 g RAE/day

12. In Summary • Upper level for adults: 3000 g/day • Chief functions in the body • Vision • Maintenance of cornea, epithelial cells, mucous membranes, skin • Bone and tooth growth • Reproduction • Immunity

13. In Summary • Significant sources • Retinol: fortified milk, cheese, cream, butter, fortified margarine, eggs, liver • Beta-carotene: spinach and other dark leafy greens; broccoli, deep orange fruits (apricots, cantaloupe) and vegetables (squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin)

14. In Summary • Deficiency disease: hypovitaminosis A • Deficiency symptoms • Night blindness, corneal drying (xerosis), triangular gray spots on eye (Bitot’s spots), softening of the cornea (keratomalacia), and corneal degeneration and blindness (xerophthalmia)

15. In Summary • Deficiency symptoms (continued) • Impaired immunity (infections) • Plugging of hair follicles with keratin, forming white lumps (hyperkeratosis)

16. Deficiency Symptom: Keratinization

17. In Summary • Toxicity disease: hypervitaminosis A • Chronic toxicity symptoms • Increased activity of osteoclasts causing reduced bone density • Liver abnormalities • Birth defects

18. In Summary • Acute toxicity symptoms • Blurred vision • Nausea, vomiting, vertigo • Increase of pressure inside skull, mimicking brain tumor • Headaches

20. Vitamin D • Other names • Calciferol • 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (calcitriol) • Animal version: vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol • Plant version: vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol • Precursor is the body’s own cholesterol

21. Vitamin D • 1997 adequate intake (AI) • 19-50 years: 5 g/day • 51-70 years: 10 g/day • more than 70 years: 15 g/day • Upper level for adults: 50 g/day

22. Vitamin D • Chief functions in the body • Mineralization of bones (raises blood calcium and phosphorus by increasing absorption from digestive tract, withdrawing calcium from bones, stimulating retention by kidneys)

23. Vitamin D • Significant sources • Synthesized in the body with the help of sunlight • Fortified milk, margarine, butter, cereals, and chocolate mixes • Veal, beef, egg yolks, liver, fatty fish (herring, salmon, sardines) and their oils

25. Vitamin D • Deficiency diseases • Rickets • Osteomalacia

26. Vitamin D • Deficiency symptoms: rickets in children • Inadequate calcification, resulting in misshapen bones (bowing of legs) • Enlargement of ends of long bones (knees, wrists) • Deformities of ribs (bowed, with beads or knobs)

27. Vitamin D • Deficiency symptoms: rickets in children (continued) • Delayed closing of fontanel, resulting in rapid enlargement of head

28. Vitamin D • Deficiency symptoms: rickets in children (continued) • Lax muscles resulting in protrusion of abdomen • Muscle spasms • Deficiency symptoms: osteomalacia in adults • Loss of calcium, resulting in soft, flexible, brittle, and deformed bones

29. Vitamin D • Deficiency symptoms: osteomalacia in adults (cont.) • Progressive weakness • Pain in pelvis, lower back, and legs • Toxicity disease: hypervitaminosis D

30. Vitamin D • Toxicity symptoms • Elevated blood calcium • Calcification of soft tissues (blood vessels, kidneys, heart, lungs, tissues around joints) • Frequent urination

31. Vitamin E • Other name: alpha-tocopherol • 2000 RDA • Adults: 15 mg/day • Upper level for adults: 1000 mg/day • Chief function in the body • Antioxidant (stabilization of cell membranes, regulation of oxidation reactions, protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A)

32. Vitamin E

33. Vitamin E • Significant sources • Polyunsaturated plant oils (margarine, salad dressings, shortenings) • Leafy green vegetables, wheat germ, whole grains, liver, egg yolks, nuts, seeds

34. Vitamin E • Easily destroyed by heat and oxygen • Deficiency symptoms • Red blood cell breakage • Nerve damage • Toxicity symptoms • Augments the effects of anticlotting medication

35. Vitamin K • Other names • Phylloquinone • Menaquinone • Menadione • Naphthoquinone • 2001 AI • Men: 120 g/day • Women: 90 g/day

36. Vitamin K • Chief functions in the body • Synthesis of blood-clotting proteins and bone proteins that regulate blood calcium

37. Vitamin K • Significant sources • Bacterial synthesis in the digestive tract • Liver • Leafy green vegetables, cabbage-type vegetables • Milk

38. Vitamin K • Deficiency symptoms • Hemorrhaging • Toxicity symptoms • None known

39. The Fat-Soluble Vitamins - In Summary • Interactions with each other • Interactions with minerals

40. Antioxidant Nutrients In Disease Prevention • Free radicals and disease • Oxidative stress • Defending against free radicals • Oxidants and antioxidants

41. Antioxidant Nutrients In Disease Prevention

43. Antioxidant Nutrients In Disease Prevention • Defending against cancer • Defending against cardiovascular disease

44. Antioxidant Nutrients In Disease Prevention • Foods, supplements, or both? • Prooxidants