Vitamin C belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins and is a historically interesting vitamin. In 1933, the structure of vitamin C was elucidated by the Englishmen Haworth and Hirst. In the same year, the vitamin was named ascorbic acid by Haworth and the Hungarian biochemist Szent-Györgyi. At the same time, Haworth and the Swiss … Vitamin C: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution
Risk groups for vitamin B1 deficiency include individuals with: Deficiency and malnutrition, for example, a diet frequently high in protein and carbohydrates. Chronic alcohol abuse Malabsorption (Crohn’s disease, sprue) High black tea consumption or intake of drugs, especially antacids (both black tea and antacids inhibit the absorption of thiamine). Chronic hemodialysis Diabetic acidosis Severe acute … Thiamine (Vitamin B1): At-Risk Groups
The European food safety authority (EFSA) was unable to derive a safe maximum daily intake due to a lack of human studies with very high doses of vitamin B1. There are no reports of adverse effects from excessive intake of vitamin B1 from food or supplements. In studies, no side effects occurred with a daily … Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Safety Assessment
Severe deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare. Studies have shown that thiamine is necessary for proper metabolism and function of vitamin B6. Therefore, alcoholics who are also deficient in thiamine due to low dietary intake are at highest risk of also suffering the effects of vitamin B6 deficiency. Some studies have documented abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs) … Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Deficiency Symptoms
Pantothenic acid – vitamin B5 – was first discovered as an essential growth factor of yeasts, and later as a growth factor for lactic acid bacteria, chicks, and rats. Because of this ubiquitous occurrence, the substance was given the name pantothenic acid. The term “pantothene” comes from the Greek – pantos = everywhere. Pantothenic acid … Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution
Risk groups for nicotinamide deficiency include individuals with: Chronic alcoholism Chronic diarrhea (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) Liver cirrhosis Carcinoid syndrome (increased consumption of tryptophan for serotonin synthesis). Hartnup disease (intestinal and tubular absorption disorder of neutral amino acids). Taking medications, such as certain analgesics, antidiabetics, psychotropic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, tuberculostatics, immunosuppressants, cytostatics. Pregnant women, from … Niacin (Vitamin B3): Risk Groups
In the early stages of folic acid deficiency, physical symptoms are absent, but an increase in serum homocysteine levels in the blood may already be evident. Folic acid deficiency affects rapidly dividing cells in particular. Therefore, deficiency symptoms appear especially in the blood picture, because blood cells are formed from rapidly dividing cells of the … Folic Acid (Folate): Symptoms of Deficiency
The European food safety authority (EFSA) last evaluated vitamins and minerals for safety in 2006 and set a so-called Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for each micronutrient, provided sufficient data were available. This UL reflects the maximum safe level of a micronutrient that will not cause adverse effects when taken daily from all sources for … Folic Acid (Folate): Safety Assessment
Its coenzymes NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) are of great importance for energy production through oxidation-reduction reactions for more than 200 enzymes. NAD supports breakdown processes of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and alcohol for energy production. NADP supports breakdown processes such as the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.Furthermore, nicotinamide is … Niacin (Vitamin B3): Functions
Biotin is a hydrophilic (water-soluble) vitamin of the B group and bears the historical names coenzyme R, vitamin BW, vitamin B7, and vitamin H (effect on skin). In the early 20th century, Wildiers discovered a specific factor required for growth in experiments on yeasts, which was named “Bios” and was a mixture of Bios I … Biotin: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution
It has not yet been possible on the part of the DGE to make any statements about the approximate silicon requirement in humans, since the minimum requirement could not even be determined for animals. According to estimates, the human requirement is between 5 and 20 mg per day. Because of uncertainties in absorption, adult silicon … Silicon: Supply
Zinc is a chemical element bearing the element symbol Zn. Along with iron, copper, manganese, etc., zinc belongs to the group of transition metals, in which it occupies a special position due to properties similar to alkaline earth metals, such as calcium and magnesium (→ relatively stable electron configuration). In the periodic table, zinc has … Zinc: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution
