Vitamin Basics - The Facts about Vitamins in Nutrition (3rd Ed.) - DSM

102 Pages·2016·10.1 MB·English

by  Spitzer V.

Vitamin Basics
The Facts about Vitamins in Nutrition
©
DSM Nutritional Products
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Edited by
Dr. Volker Spitzer, Global Science Manager, DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.
With a foreword by
Prof. Dr. Florian Schweigert, President of the German Society for Applied
Vitamin Research, Potsdam.
3rd edition 2007
(C) 1994, 1997, 2007 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.
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Starting in 1935 with the chemical services for human and animal well-being. Most of these products are
synthesis of vitamin C, Roche grad- nature-identical, which means that their chemical structures and properties
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polyunsaturated fatty acids, ment of new biotechnology-based approaches. The latter efforts are sup-
enzymes, citric acid and nutraceuti- ported by advanced biotechnological techniques such as genomics and
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January 2002, the company has had a uniform and following products:
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standard ISO 9001:2000. This means that all production Carotenoids
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Canthaxanthin
You can find more information on Lutein
www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com redivivo™ (Lycopene)
OPTISHARP™ (Zeaxanthin)
Fat soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A – Liquid and Dry
Vitamin D – Liquid and Dry
3
Vitamin E, Synthetic – Liquid and Dry
Vitamin E, Natural Source
Vitamin K
1
Water soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B – Thiamine
1
Vitamin B – Riboflavin
2
Vitamin B – Niacin/Niacinamide
3
Vitamin B – Pantothenates
5
Pro-Vitamin B – Panthenol
5
Vitamin B – Pyridoxine
6
Vitamin B – Cyanocobalamin
12
Folic Acid
Biotin
Vitamin C
Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
ROPUFA® (Omega-3 LC PUFA – Polyunsaturated Fatty
Acids)
ROPUFA® (Omega-6 LC PUFA – Polyunsaturated Fatty
Acids)
Nutraceuticals
ALL-Q® (Coenzyme Q10)
TEAVIGO™ (EGCG)
BONISTEIN™ (Genistein)
LAFTI® (Probiotics)
HIDROX® (Olive Polyphenols)
Other ingredients
Citric Acid
Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide (DMH)
Tretinoin
Micronutrient blends
Contents
Foreword 4
Introduction 5
Vitamin A 11
Beta-carotene 17
Vitamin D 23
Vitamin E 29
Vitamin K 35
Vitamin C 40
Vitamin B 47
1
Vitamin B 53
2
Vitamin B 59
6
Vitamin B 65
12
Niacin 71
Vitamin B 76
5
Folic Acid 81
Biotin 87
References 93
Index 94
2
Foreword
While plants and micro organism have the capability to visible in the history of vitamin D research. In the late
produce the vitamins necessary for the metabolism 1970’s, research established vitamin D as a hormone
themselves, humans and animals have unfortunately essential in bone metabolism. Based on such findings,
lost this ability during evolution. Because of the lack of vitamins are no longer classified into groups defined
specific enzymes for synthesis, vitamins became essen- simply by their physical-chemical properties – such as
tial nutrients for them. It was recognized more than water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. More appro-
3500 years ago that vitamins are essential food ingre- priately, vitamins are now classified according to their
dients for maintaining health and well-being. The first biological function in the body; vitamins with coenzyme
records related to the use of specific food items, as we functions, vitamins with hormone-like properties and
know today contain information on specific vitamins, vitamins with antioxidants properties. But as expected
such as vitamin A in liver, to prevent specific diseases the borderlines between these groups can not clearly be
such as night blindness. Only 3000 years later specific defined and needs readjustment with the rapid progress
conditions of deficiency were recorded that could be in research.
attributed to the deficiency of selected nutrients. Well
known examples are scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), In developing countries chronic, diet-related diseases
beriberi (vitamin B ) and rickets (vitamin D). It took are still an important public health problem but in the
1
another 400 years until we ware able to attribute these affluent societies, the prevention of degenerative
disease conditions to specific active substances in our diseases and also acute vitamin deficiencies might be of
diet named then vitamins. Although we now know that concern. Regarding the continuing debate of optimal
vitamins are not a uniform group of chemical sub- vitamin levels and tolerable upper intake levels (UL) a
stances like proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, we still valid knowledge-base of the daily expanding scientific
use the term to describe the whole group. evidence is necessary. This includes for example the
definition of populations at risk, the problem of appro-
Since the beginning of the last century our knowledge priate biomarkers that not only reflect the dietary intake
on the biological function of vitamins on the molecular but also the local status in specific tissues at risk of
and cellular level has increased significantly. This deficiency as well as environmental factors that influ-
research is reflected by 20 Noble Prize winners between ence status and need for certain vitamins.
1928 and 1967. Despite intensive research efforts no
additional vitamins have been added to the list of 13 The following chapters of this book will contribute to the
vitamins accumulated between 1897 and 1941. better understanding of the important role of vitamins
not only in preventing specific deficiencies but also
While in the past, scientist have basically been concern- maintaining and improving human health and well-being
ed with the role of vitamins in preventing vitamin related by summarizing the actual knowledge-base for the in-
disease and their biochemical functions, today it is dividual vitamins.
recognized that vitamins have an important role in
health and well-being beyond the mere prevention of Prof. Dr. Florian J. Schweigert
deficiency. This aspect of vitamins is based on the President of the German Society for Applied Vitamin
observation that vitamins are not only coenzymes in Research (GVF)
metabolic processes but also act as potent antioxidants Professor for Nutrition, University of Potsdam
and have hormone-like functions. The later is clearly Potsdam, Germany
3
Introduction
Vitamins are essential organic nutrients required in very small amounts for
normal metabolism, growth and physical well-being. Most vitamins are not
made in the body, or only in insufficient amounts, and are mainly obtained
through food. When their intake is inadequate, vitamin deficiency disorders
are the consequence. Vitamins are present in food in minute quantities
compared to the macronutrients protein, carbohydrates and fat. The aver-
age adult in industrialised countries eats about 600g of food per day on a -
dry-weight basis, of which less than 1 gram consists of vitamins.
No single food contains all of the vitamins and, therefore, a balanced and
varied diet is necessary for an adequate intake. Each of the 13 vitamins
known today has specific functions in the body, which makes every one of
them unique and irreplaceable. Vitamins are essential for life!
Of the 13 vitamins, 4 are fat-soluble, namely vitamins A, D, E and K. The
other vitamins are water-soluble: vitamin C and the B-complex, consisting
of vitamins B , B , B , B , folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and niacin.
1 2 6 12
The history of vitamins can be divided into five periods.
4
Table 1: The History of Vitamins
Vitamin Discovery Isolation Structure Synthesis
Vitamin A 1909 1931 1931 1947
Provitamin A (Beta-carotene) 1831 1930 1950
Vitamin D 1918 1932 1936 1959
Vitamin E 1922 1936 1938 1938
Vitamin K 1929 1939 1939 1939
Vitamin B 1897 1926 1936 1936
1
Vitamin B 1920 1933 1935 1935
2
Niacin 1936 1935 1937 1894
Vitamin B 1934 1938 1938 1939
6
Vitamin B 1926 1948 1956 1972
12
Folic Acid 1941 1941 1946 1946
Pantothenic Acid 1931 1938 1940 1940
Biotin 1931 1935 1942 1943
Vitamin C 1912 1928 1933 1933
1. The empirical healing of di- any new vitamin is quite unlikely, 5. The accumulation of reports
seases, now associated with vit- although efforts are still of health benefits beyond
amin deficiency, through con- continuing in that quest. Many of preventing deficienciesand excit-
sumption of particular foods. An the researchers involved in this ing new biochemical functions of
example is the use of liver to treat golden age of the vitamins vitamins ushered in a fifth period,
night blindness (vitamin A defi- received a Nobel prize in reco- starting with the report in 1955 of
ciency) by the Egyptians (Papyrus gnition of their great achie- the cholesterol-lowering effect of
Ebers 1550-1570 BC), Assyrians, vements (Table 2). niacin (1). This is now a well
Chinese, Japanese, Greeks, accepted effect of the vitamin,
Romans, Persians and Arabs. 4. During the era of discovery, a which has nothing at all to do with
fourth period began which was its classical coenzyme role, and is
2. The second phase was charac- concerned with the biochemical a clear health effect beyond pre-
terised by the ability to induce a functions, establishment of venting the deficiency disease
deficiency disease in animals, dietary requirements and pellagra.
which started with the classical commercial production. In the
studies of Lunin and Eijkman early 1930s it was realised that Finally, work on the biochemical
around 1890. The ability to pro- riboflavin (vitamin B ) was part of function of vitamins in the last three
2
duce deficiency diseases, such as the “yellow enzyme”, which in decades has considerably expanded
beriberi in animals, led to time led to the elucidation of the our concept of how vitamins func-
Hopkins’ concept that small role of the B-vitamins as coen- tion in the body and has helped pro-
amounts of “accessory growth zymes. The subsequent identifi- vide a chemical basis for the in vivo
factors” are necessary for growth cation of most of the B-vitamins observation of their health effects
and life, and the coining of the as coenzymes remained a central (Table 3).
term “vitamine” in 1912 by the theme, defining their function for
Polish-American scientist, Funk. many decades. The first com-
mercial synthesis of vitamin C by
3. The third phase consisted in Reichstein in 1933 was the start
seven decades of exciting of a successful industrial effort
research involving the discovery, that led to the availability of
isolation, structure elucidation relatively inexpensive vitamins for
and synthesis of all the vitamins, research and use in animal
and culminating in the synthesis feedstuffs, for the fortification of
of vitamin B in 1972. Most sci- food products, and for supple-
12
entists think that the discovery of ments.
5
Table 2: Vitamin-Related Nobel Prize Winners
Year Name Field Comments
1928 Adolf Windaus Chemistry for his research into the constitution of the steroids
and their connection with vitamins
1929 Christiaan Eijkman Medicine & for his discovery of the antineuritic vitamins
Physiology
Sir Frederick G. Hopkins Medicine & for his discovery of the growth stimulating vitamin
Physiology
1934 George R. Minot Medicine & for their discoveries concerning liver therapy of
William P. Murphy Physiology anaemias
George H. Whipple
1937 Sir Walter N. Haworth Chemistry for his research into the constitution of
carbohydrates and vitamin C
Paul Karrer Chemistry for his research into the constitution of carotenoids,
flavins and vitamins A and B
2
Albert Szent-Györgyi Medicine & for his discoveries in connection with the biological
Physiology combustion processes, with particular reference to
vitamin C and the catalysis of fumaric acid
1938 Richard Kuhn Chemistry for his work on carotenoids and vitamins
1943 Carl Peter Henrik Dam Medicine & for his discovery of vitamin K
Physiology
Edward A. Doisy Medicine & for his discovery of the chemical nature of vitamin K
Physiology
1953 Fritz A. Lipmann Medicine & for his discovery of Coenzyme A and its importance
Physiology for intermediary metabolism
1955 Axel H.T. Theorell Medicine & for his discoveries concerning the nature and mode
Physiology of action of oxidation enzymes
1964 Konrad E. Bloch Medicine & for his discoveries concerning the mechanism and
Physiology regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism
Feodor Lynen Medicine & as above
Physiology
Dorothy C. Hodgkin Chemistry for her structural determination of vitamin B
12
1967 Ragnar A. Granit Medicine & for his research, which illuminated the electrical
Physiology properties of vision by studying wavelength
discrimination in the eye
Halden K. Hartline Medicine & for his research on the mechanisms of sight
Physiology
George Wald Medicine & for his research on the chemical processes that
Physiology allow pigments in the retina of the eye to convert
light into vision
6
Table 3: Biochemical Function of Vitamins
Vitamin Classical Role More Recent Role
Vitamin C Hydroxylation Reaction In Vivo Antioxidant
Beta-carotene Provitamin A Antioxidant, Immune Function
Vitamin K Clotting Factors Calcium Metabolism
Vitamin D Calcium Absorption, Differentiation and Growth,
Mineralisation of Bone Immune Function
Vitamin B Coenzyme Steroid Regulation
6
Niacin Coenzyme Lipid Lowering
Folic Acid Production and Maintenance Protection Against Neural Tube
of New Cells Birth Defects
Folic Acid, B and B Energy Metabolism May Lower Risk of Heart Disease and
6 12
Stroke*
Antioxidant vitamins Protection against Cancer and Heart
Disease*
*Research ongoing
Dietary Reference
The primary goal of having these •Estimated Average Requirement
Intakes new dietary reference values was (EAR) – the amount of a nutrient
not only to prevent nutrient deficien- that is estimated to meet the
cies, but also to reduce the risk of requirement of half of all healthy
From 1941 until 1989, RDAs chronic diseases such as osteo- individuals in a given age and
(Recommended Dietary Allowances) porosis, cancer, and cardiovascular gender group. This value is based
were established and used to evalu- disease. on a thorough review of the scien-
ate and plan menus to meet the tific literature.
nutrient requirements of certain The first report, Dietary Reference
groups. They were also used in Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, •Recommended Dietary Allowance
other applications such as interpre- Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride, (RDA) – the average daily dietary
ting food consumption records of was published in 1997. Since then, intake of a nutrient that is sufficient
populations, establishing standards three additional vitamin related to meet the requirement of nearly
for food assistance programs, reports have been released, all (97-98%) healthy persons. This
establishing guidelines for nutrition addressing folate and other B vit- is the number to be used as a goal
labelling, etc. amins, dietary antioxidants (vitamins for individuals. It is calculated from
C, E, selenium and the carotenoids), the EAR.
The primary goal of RDAs was to and the micronutrients (vitamins A,
prevent diseases caused by nutrient K, and trace elements such as iron, •Adequate Intake (AI) – only estab-
deficiencies. iodine, etc). The DRIs are a compre- lished when an EAR (and thus an
hensive scientific source primarily for RDA) cannot be determined
In the early 1990s, the Food and nutrition scientists (see References). because the data are not clear-cut
Nutrition Board (FNB), the Institute They are used by health authorities enough; a nutrient has either an
of Medicine, the National Academy in many countries as a basis for RDA or an AI. The AI is based on
of Sciences (USA), with the involve- decisions regarding nutritional infor- experimental data or determined
ment of Health Canada, undertook mation on micronutrients. by estimating the amount of a
the task of revising the RDAs, and a There are four types of DRI reference nutrient eaten by a group of
new family of nutrient reference val- values: the Estimated Average healthy people and assuming that
ues was born – the Dietary Requirement (EAR), the Recom- the amount they consume is ade-
Reference Intakes (DRIs). mended Dietary Allowance (RDA), the quate to promote health.
Adequate Intake (AI) and the Tolerable
Upper Intake Level (UL).