| Vitamins |
Their importance |
| Vitamin-A |
- Steenbock (1919) discovered vitamin-A and Karrear (1931) determined the structure of vitamin-A.
- It is also called as an anti-infective vitamin.
- It is necessary for healthy eyesight (normal vision).
- It is destroyed by strong light.
- The main sources are yellow or green leafy vegetables, carrot, papaya, ripe, mango, milk, etc.
- Deficiency causes night blindness (patient cannot see the object in dim light) and xerophthalmia or keratomalacia (dryness and wrinkles of the outer layer of the eyeball).
- Its other name is Retinol.
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| Vitamin-D |
- It is called the poor man's vitamin and is a sterol derivative.
- Its formation takes place under the skin in the presence of sunlight that's why also called sunshine vitamin or anti-racket vitamin.
- It is needed for strong bones and teeth, helps in DNA synthesis, absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
- Some main sources are egg, milk, fish liver oil, etc.
- It affects the bones and causes rickets and osteomalacia in children and adults, respectively.
- Its other name is Calciferol.
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| Vitamin-E |
- It is also known as beauty or anti-sterility vitamin.
- It acts as an oxidant, helpful in making RBCs, and is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system in both males and females both.
- The most important sources are vegetable oils, wheat, cottonseed, and animal food.
- It is also found in green vegetables like alfalfa lettuce i.e. salad etc.
- Its deficiency destroys the muscles and causes abnormal functioning of the reproductive system in males as well as women.
- Its other name is Tocopherol.
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| Vitamin-K |
- It was discovered by Henrik Dam (1935).
- It is also called a naphthoquinone and is synthesized in the body by some bacteria.
- It is a coagulation vitamin, which is why it helps in the clotting of blood.
- The main sources are cauliflower, spinach, tomato, soybean, etc.
- Its deficiency delays the clotting of blood and causes haemorrhage which is why also called an anti-hemorrhagic vitamin.
- Its other name is Phylloquinone.
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