Sci 241 Research Paper

Fat and Water Soluble Vitamins
SCI 241 Nutrition
Stacey Peterson
November 24, 2013

Fat and Water Soluble Vitamins Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential to many functions in the human body and classified in two different classes based on their solubility. The B vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble and vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). These classes are fat soluble and water soluble. According to Grosvenor, M & Smolin, L. (2012) small amounts of vitamins are necessary in our diet to promote and regulate growth, reproduction and maintain health. Water soluble vitamins are the B vitamins and vitamin C. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body for very long. They
are used quickly and eliminated through our kidneys so regular consumption is needed in order to prevent symptoms of deficiencies (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). The B vitamins act as coenzymes, attach to enzymes to in order to promote a particular activity. They are important in making energy from carbohydrates, fats, and protein so that the body can run (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Vitamin C is an antioxidant. They protect against oxidation damage by reducing or eliminating the free radicals produced during normal oxygen requiring reactions in the body (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Grosvenor & Smolin, (2012) shows graphs showing that most of the B vitamins are found in higher amounts in peanuts, pork, beef, fish, chicken, milk, and brown rice. Benefits of vitamin B include formation of red blood cells, prevents birth defects, helps alleviate symptoms of depression, anemia, and can reduce the risk of heart disease (Healthy life- healthy planet; The benefits of B vitamins, 2007). Deficiencies in B vitamins can result in but is not limited to irritability, insomnia, depression, headaches, loose of appetite (Healthy life- healthy planet; benefits of B vitamins, 2007). Water soluble vitamin toxicity is rare but can occur at high doses. Some of the symptoms that can occur include blurred vision, increased heart rate, nausea, rapid breathing, blood clots, and allergic reactions (Pritchard, J., (2011). There are a couple of significant diseases that are caused by a couple of the B vitamins. Beriberi is a significant disease that is caused by a thiamin deficiency. Although reversible, the disease causes nerve degeneration, and heart changes (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Beriberi is not common in North America. However, a form of beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, occurs in alcoholics because of the altered absorption of nutrients in the intestine. They develop confusion, memory disturbance, psychosis, and if untreated can result in death (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). A deficiency in niacin resulted in a disease caused pellagra. According to Grosvenor & Smolin (2012) niacin forms coenzymes needed to metabolize glucose and synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol and as a result can cause major changes in the body. The symptoms start out with the basic symptoms of deficiency and then advance to the three D’s; diarrhea, dermatitis and diarrhea (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Again if the disease is left untreated then death can occur. Folate is required for DNA synthesis so deficiency places unborn children at risk for neural tube defects resulting in spinal bifida, learning disabilities and even paralysis (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Macrocytic anemia, the decrease in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen because of large, immature and mature red blood cells (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Pernicious anemia, another type of macrocytic anemia, results when the body lacks the intrinsic factor needed to break the B12 away from the food and cannot be absorbed (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Vitamin C plays a major role in the production and maintenance of collagen, which forms the base of all connective tissue and because of its antioxidant properties helps with fighting off infections (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). If vitamin C intake is not sufficient scurvy can result. Scurvy results in bleeding gums, tooth loss, joint pain, bleeding into skin, and fatigue (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Vitamin C is present in high quantities in citrus fruits, kiwi, and other fruits and vegetables. The only signs of toxicity for vitamin C are diarrhea and GI upset (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Fat soluble vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E and K. The vitamins are different than water soluble because they are obtained along with the dietary fat of what we consume and are stored in our fat cells and liver until they are used (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Because they are stored in our body, they is a greater chance of toxicity than that of water soluble vitamins which are not. Vitamin A is found in our diets as retinoids, chemical forms of vitamin A, and/or carotenoids, the yellow-orange pigments in plants that converts to retinoids once in the body (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012).
Vitamin A can be found in liver, carrots, sweet potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is important to our vision, gene expression, and immunity. Someone suffering from vitamin A deficiency can suffer from night blindness, keratin deposits around the hair follicle, impaired tissue growth, and anemia. Liver damage, hair loss, bone, decreased appetite, hemorrhages, and coma can result from long term toxicity and abdominal pain, nausea, muscle contractions, and dizziness can result in short term toxicity (Grosvenor & Smolin,
2012). Vitamin D had two different forms, D2 found in plants and D3 made from our bodies using sunlight (Office of Dietary Supplements National Institute of Health: Strengthening knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements, n.d.).
Vitamin D helps maintain calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood and bones and is not found naturally in very many foods but is added to many foods as a government regulation (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Children are at risk of developing Rickets and adults develop osteomalacia when there is a long term deficiency of vitamin D. Both of these disorders causes decreased calcium and phosphorus levels, and soft and weak bones (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). If toxicity happens, kidney stones, headaches, muscles, muscle weakness, and fatigue can result. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). This vitamin is found in plant oils. If there is a vitamin A deficiency, anemia and degeneration of sensory neurons can result and if toxicity occurs a person can suffer from nausea, fatigue, and have problems clotting (Office of Dietary Supplements National Institute of Health: Strengthening knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements,
n.d.). There are two forms of vitamin K, a plant source and a fish and meat source. Vitamin K is found in liver, fish, green leafy vegetables, and milk and contributes to the production of seven blood clotting factors (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). If vitamin K is deficient in ones diet excessive or abnormal bleeding and inadequate fat absorption can result. If too much is consumed then it can cause increased clotting and interfere with someone taking blood thinners for medical conditions (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2012). Vitamins play an important part in our bodies functioning. If an individual is suffering from a symptom of deficiency or toxicity it is usually resolved once the issue is added to their diet or taken away. Society has increased the number of supplements that they take over the past couple of years which can ultimately result in toxicity. If you are taking supplements it is important that you monitor the amount of dietary vitamins that you consume because your risk for toxicity is increased.

References
Grosvenor, M. B., & Smolin, L.A. (2012). Visualizing Nutrition: Everyday Choices (2nd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database
Healthy life healthy planet; The benefits of B vitamins. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.healthylife-healthyplanet.com/b-vitamins.html
Office of Dietary Supplements National Institute of Health: Strengthening knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Pritchard, J. (2011). B vitamin overdose symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/404634-b-vitamin-overdose-symptoms/