What are vitamins biochemistry?
Vitamins are vital micronutrients that cannot be synthesized endogenously or in insufficient amounts, and the principal means by which we get vitamins is through our diet. Vitamins can classify as water-soluble or fat-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K.
What is the biochemical role of vitamin B12?
Vitamin B-12 is crucial to the normal function of the brain and the nervous system. It is also involved in the formation of red blood cells and helps to create and regulate DNA. The metabolism of every cell in the body depends on vitamin B-12, as it plays a part in the synthesis of fatty acids and energy production.
How are B vitamins classified?
The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12).
Which is the richest food source of vitamin D?
Foods that provide vitamin D include:
- Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
- Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals.
- Beef liver.
- Cheese.
- Egg yolks.
What happens if vitamin B12 is high?
However, supplementing with excessively high levels of B12 has been linked to some negative side effects. Several studies have shown that megadoses of the vitamin can lead to outbreaks of acne and rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness and pus-filled bumps on the face.
What are B vitamins and why are they important?
B vitamins. B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism.
What did Merck do with the vitamin B complex?
In particular, the research conducted by Merck scientists to isolate, determine chemical structures, and synthesize vitamins on an industrial scale—especially the B vitamins—is an outstanding example of the rapid advances in biochemistry and organic chemistry during the early 20 th century.
What are the different types of B vitamins?
Daily values Vitamins DVs for adults and children ages 4+ DVs if pregnant or breastfeeding thiamin (B-1) 1.2 mg 1.4 mg riboflavin (B-2) 1.3 mg 1.6 mg niacin (B-3) 16 mg or equivalent 18 mg or equivalent pantothenic acid (B-5) 5 mg 7 mg
Who was the first to distinguish vitamins A and B?
In 1913, University of Wisconsin biochemist Elmer McCollum (1879–1967) was able to distinguish two different species of vitamins, which he called “fat-soluble factor A” and “water-soluble factor B.” The announcements by Hopkins, Funk, McCollum and others sparked enormous worldwide interest in this new area of research.