Vitamine
Summary
Vitamins are essential organic compounds required in small amounts for normal metabolism, growth, and physiological function. They cannot be synthesized by the body in adequate quantities and must be obtained from dietary sources. Deficiencies lead to specific disease states.
Detail
Vitamins are classified into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B vitamins and C) categories. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in adipose tissue and liver, making toxicity possible with excessive intake, while water-soluble vitamins are readily excreted and require regular replenishment. Each vitamin serves as a cofactor or precursor in specific metabolic pathways: Vitamin A for vision and epithelial integrity, B vitamins for energy metabolism and neurological function, Vitamin C for collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity, Vitamin D for calcium homeostasis, Vitamin E as an antioxidant, and Vitamin K for coagulation. Clinical deficiencies present with characteristic syndromes (scurvy for Vitamin C, rickets for Vitamin D, beriberi for B1, pellagra for B3, etc.). Understanding vitamin metabolism is crucial for recognizing malabsorption syndromes, nutritional deficiencies, and drug interactions that affect vitamin status.
Sources
- Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
- Robbins Basic Pathology
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
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