Vitamins
Posted: Saturday, August 13th, 2022 | Updated: Sunday, August 21st, 2022
Posted: Saturday, August 13th, 2022 | Updated: Sunday, August 21st, 2022
Definition:
Vitamins are noncaloric nutrients that help drive cell processes and aide in the absorption and digestion of other nutrients. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the lymph, travel through the body via specific proteins, and can be stored in the liver or other fatty tissues. Some fat-soluble vitamins have the potential to build up and become toxic. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed via the bloodstream and travel freely in circulation. Excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins are typically excreted in the urine and rarely reach toxic levels. The majority of vitamin deficiencies are most notable in the skin because it's the organ you can see, however, the deficiencies may be affecting all of the other cells within the body as well. The information below mainly pertains to human medicine. Do your own research to find the best food for your pet or patient
Fat-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamins A, D, E, K
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamins B, C
Vitamin A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid) plays a role in vision, skin, gene expression regulation, bone and tooth growth, reproduction, and immunity. Beta-carotene is it's main precursor and is also known as an antioxidant which helps prevent or delay cell damage. Antioxidants help to inhibit oxidation which, if occurs, results in free radicals that have the potential to harm the body. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable atoms or molecules formed during normal cell metabolism which may do harm to the body. They may contribute to cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The best sources of vitamin A include: beef liver, sweet potato, carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, and butternut squash
Vitamin D (calciferol, cholecalciferol, dihydroxy vitamin D) plays a role in the mineralization of bones. It has the ability to help raise blood calcium and phosphorus levels through absorption via the digestive tract, withdrawal from the bones, and retention from the kidneys. Cholesterol is a pre-cursor and the vitamin has the ability to be self-synthesized via exposure to sunlight. Calcitriol is an analog to Vitamin D. The best sources of vitamin D include: salmon, cod liver oil, sardines, tuna, and milk
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol) plays a role in stabilizing cell membranes, acting as an antioxidant, supporting the immune system, aiding in proper nerve development, and protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vitamin E is crucial in protecting red blood cells, white blood cells, the membrane of the lungs, and the brain tissues. The best sources of vitamin E include: sunflower seeds and oil, wheat germ, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, peanuts, corn oil, peanut butter, and canola oil
Vitamin K (phylloquinone, naphthoquinone) plays a role in the synthesis of proteins associated with clotting and with proteins associated with the mineralization of bone. It has a clot promoting action and helps prevent bone fractures. Vitamin K is synthesized in the GI tract by bacteria. In humans, infants often require an initial dose of vitamin K because their GI tract is sterile initially. The best sources of vitamin K include: spinach, leafy greens, cabbage, soybeans, canola oil, and cauliflower
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a role in the synthesis of collagen and hormones, acting as an antioxidant, supporting the immune system, enhancing iron absorption by protecting it from oxidation, and restoring vitamin E to it's active form. The best sources of vitamin C include: cantaloupe, orange juice, green peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomato juice, and baked potatoes
Vitamin B (thiamin or B1, riboflavin or B2, niacin or B3, folate, B12, B6, biotin, pantothenic acid) plays a role as a coenzyme. Coenzymes are small molecules that activate enzymes after combining with them. They can be described as the keys to the a car and without the keys, the car is essentially pointless. Enzymes are proteins that speed up a chemical reaction and remain unchanged. Proteins are made up of amino acid strands linked by peptide bonds. Amino acids are essentially made up of a carbon atom, the amine group which contains nitrogen, an acid group, and an identifying side chain. About 20 amino acids make up living tissue. Essential amino acids for humans include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. In cats, taurine is an essential amino acid. Cats, dogs and humans differ on some of their essential amino acids which is why it is imperative that research is done prior to buying pet food or cooking your pet's meals so that they obtain the nutrients they need to function properly. Dogs and cats both require arginine because it's an essential amino acid for them. The nonessential amino acids for humans include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. Denaturation is the irreversible change of a protein's shape that can be brought about by heat, salts of heavy metals, acids, bases, and other agents. The majority of B Vitamins are absorbed through the GI tract and a lot of B vitamins are needed in early development and general health. Immature red and white blood cells, along with the cells of the GI tract, tend to divide most rapidly. Hence, if there is a problem with absorption relating to the GI tract or if there is a deficiency of the vitamin, other serious problems may result such as anemia, decreased immune function, weakened nervous system function, and GI disturbances to name a few. The B vitamins help the cells function appropriately, help generate energy for the body, help make new cells and proteins, and help metabolize proteins, carbs, and fats
1. Thiamin plays a role in supporting normal appetite and nervous system function. It is needed in energy metabolism. The best sources of thiamin include: pork chops, black beans, sunflower seeds, watermelon, and green peas
2. Riboflavin plays a in supporting normal vision and skin health. It is needed in energy metabolism. The best sources include: milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, liver, and leafy greens
3. Niacin plays a role in energy metabolism. It may be synthesized from tryptophan, an amino acid. The best sources include: milk, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and all protein containing foods
4. Folate plays a role in the synthesis of new cells and tissues. It helps to synthesize DNA and metabolize amino acids. The best sources of folate include: beef liver, spinach, asparagus, and turnip greens. Deficiencies may cause hypersegmentation of neutrophils
5. B12 plays a role in the synthesis of new cells and helps maintain the body's nerve cells. The best sources of B12 include: meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, and eggs. B12 is only sourced from animals. Deficiencies may cause hypersegmentation of neutrophils
6. B6 plays a role in the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids. It also helps to make red blood cells, regulate blood glucose levels, convert tryptophan to serotonin and niacin, and aide in early brain and nervous system development of the fetus. It also plays a role in immune function and steroid hormone activity. The best sources of B6 include: baked potatoes, bananas, turkey breast, watermelon, and sirloin steak
7. Pantothenic acid plays a role in the metabolism of energy. The best sources of pantothenic acid include a widespread variety of food
8. Biotin plays a role in the metabolism of energy and amino acids. It also aides in glycogen and fat synthesis. The best sources of biotin include a widespread variety of food
Vitamins are noncaloric nutrients that help drive cell processes and aide in the absorption and digestion of other nutrients. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the lymph, travel through the body via specific proteins, and can be stored in the liver or other fatty tissues. Some fat-soluble vitamins have the potential to build up and become toxic. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed via the bloodstream and travel freely in circulation. Excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins are typically excreted in the urine and rarely reach toxic levels. The majority of vitamin deficiencies are most notable in the skin because it's the organ you can see, however, the deficiencies may be affecting all of the other cells within the body as well. The information below mainly pertains to human medicine. Do your own research to find the best food for your pet or patient
Fat-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamins A, D, E, K
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamins B, C
Vitamin A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid) plays a role in vision, skin, gene expression regulation, bone and tooth growth, reproduction, and immunity. Beta-carotene is it's main precursor and is also known as an antioxidant which helps prevent or delay cell damage. Antioxidants help to inhibit oxidation which, if occurs, results in free radicals that have the potential to harm the body. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable atoms or molecules formed during normal cell metabolism which may do harm to the body. They may contribute to cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The best sources of vitamin A include: beef liver, sweet potato, carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, and butternut squash
Vitamin D (calciferol, cholecalciferol, dihydroxy vitamin D) plays a role in the mineralization of bones. It has the ability to help raise blood calcium and phosphorus levels through absorption via the digestive tract, withdrawal from the bones, and retention from the kidneys. Cholesterol is a pre-cursor and the vitamin has the ability to be self-synthesized via exposure to sunlight. Calcitriol is an analog to Vitamin D. The best sources of vitamin D include: salmon, cod liver oil, sardines, tuna, and milk
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol) plays a role in stabilizing cell membranes, acting as an antioxidant, supporting the immune system, aiding in proper nerve development, and protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vitamin E is crucial in protecting red blood cells, white blood cells, the membrane of the lungs, and the brain tissues. The best sources of vitamin E include: sunflower seeds and oil, wheat germ, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, peanuts, corn oil, peanut butter, and canola oil
Vitamin K (phylloquinone, naphthoquinone) plays a role in the synthesis of proteins associated with clotting and with proteins associated with the mineralization of bone. It has a clot promoting action and helps prevent bone fractures. Vitamin K is synthesized in the GI tract by bacteria. In humans, infants often require an initial dose of vitamin K because their GI tract is sterile initially. The best sources of vitamin K include: spinach, leafy greens, cabbage, soybeans, canola oil, and cauliflower
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a role in the synthesis of collagen and hormones, acting as an antioxidant, supporting the immune system, enhancing iron absorption by protecting it from oxidation, and restoring vitamin E to it's active form. The best sources of vitamin C include: cantaloupe, orange juice, green peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomato juice, and baked potatoes
Vitamin B (thiamin or B1, riboflavin or B2, niacin or B3, folate, B12, B6, biotin, pantothenic acid) plays a role as a coenzyme. Coenzymes are small molecules that activate enzymes after combining with them. They can be described as the keys to the a car and without the keys, the car is essentially pointless. Enzymes are proteins that speed up a chemical reaction and remain unchanged. Proteins are made up of amino acid strands linked by peptide bonds. Amino acids are essentially made up of a carbon atom, the amine group which contains nitrogen, an acid group, and an identifying side chain. About 20 amino acids make up living tissue. Essential amino acids for humans include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. In cats, taurine is an essential amino acid. Cats, dogs and humans differ on some of their essential amino acids which is why it is imperative that research is done prior to buying pet food or cooking your pet's meals so that they obtain the nutrients they need to function properly. Dogs and cats both require arginine because it's an essential amino acid for them. The nonessential amino acids for humans include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. Denaturation is the irreversible change of a protein's shape that can be brought about by heat, salts of heavy metals, acids, bases, and other agents. The majority of B Vitamins are absorbed through the GI tract and a lot of B vitamins are needed in early development and general health. Immature red and white blood cells, along with the cells of the GI tract, tend to divide most rapidly. Hence, if there is a problem with absorption relating to the GI tract or if there is a deficiency of the vitamin, other serious problems may result such as anemia, decreased immune function, weakened nervous system function, and GI disturbances to name a few. The B vitamins help the cells function appropriately, help generate energy for the body, help make new cells and proteins, and help metabolize proteins, carbs, and fats
1. Thiamin plays a role in supporting normal appetite and nervous system function. It is needed in energy metabolism. The best sources of thiamin include: pork chops, black beans, sunflower seeds, watermelon, and green peas
2. Riboflavin plays a in supporting normal vision and skin health. It is needed in energy metabolism. The best sources include: milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, liver, and leafy greens
3. Niacin plays a role in energy metabolism. It may be synthesized from tryptophan, an amino acid. The best sources include: milk, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and all protein containing foods
4. Folate plays a role in the synthesis of new cells and tissues. It helps to synthesize DNA and metabolize amino acids. The best sources of folate include: beef liver, spinach, asparagus, and turnip greens. Deficiencies may cause hypersegmentation of neutrophils
5. B12 plays a role in the synthesis of new cells and helps maintain the body's nerve cells. The best sources of B12 include: meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, and eggs. B12 is only sourced from animals. Deficiencies may cause hypersegmentation of neutrophils
6. B6 plays a role in the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids. It also helps to make red blood cells, regulate blood glucose levels, convert tryptophan to serotonin and niacin, and aide in early brain and nervous system development of the fetus. It also plays a role in immune function and steroid hormone activity. The best sources of B6 include: baked potatoes, bananas, turkey breast, watermelon, and sirloin steak
7. Pantothenic acid plays a role in the metabolism of energy. The best sources of pantothenic acid include a widespread variety of food
8. Biotin plays a role in the metabolism of energy and amino acids. It also aides in glycogen and fat synthesis. The best sources of biotin include a widespread variety of food
Sources:
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Plumb's. Vers. 2021.9.3. Educational Concepts, LLC. Google Play, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plumbs.app.
Sizer, Frances Sienkiewicz and Ellie Whitney. Nutrition Concepts and Controversies. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Plumb's. Vers. 2021.9.3. Educational Concepts, LLC. Google Play, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plumbs.app.
Sizer, Frances Sienkiewicz and Ellie Whitney. Nutrition Concepts and Controversies. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011