Other names: Retinol, Retinoic acid, B-carotene

Active form: Retinol, Retinal, Retinoic Acid

Function: Maintenance of reproduction, Vision, Promotion of growth, Differentiation/maintenance of epithelial tissues, Gene expressions

Can reach toxic levels. Excess levels increase incidence of fractures.

Can cause: Impotence, Night blindness, Retardation of growth, Xerophthalmia

Signs/Symptoms: Increased visual threshold; Dryness of cornea

Other names: Cholecalciferol; Ergocalciferol

Active Form: 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol

Function: Calcium up take

Deficiency of leads to: Rickets (in children); Osteomalacia (in adults)

Signs/Symptoms: Soft, pliable bones

Can be Toxic. Not a true vitamin, can be synthesized from skin (UV light).

Other names:  Menadione, Menaquinone, Phylloquinone

Active Form:  Menadione, Menaquinone, Phylloquinon

Function:  γ-Carboxylation of Glutamate residue in clotting and other proteins

Deficiency in newborns but rare in adults.  Shows signs/symptoms of Bleeding.  Toxicity is rare.

Vit K is produced by intestinal bacteria.  Deficiency common in in new borns.

Other names:  α-Tocopherol

Active Form:  Any of several tocopherol derivatives

Function:  Antioxidant

Deficiency is Rare.  Signs/Symptoms = RBC fragility which leads to hemolytic anemia.  No toxic level.  

Other names:  Thiamine

Active Form:  Thiamine pyrophosphate

Function:  Cofactor of enzymes catalyzing the following reactions

Pyruvate → Acetyl CoA

α-Ketoglutarate → Succinyl CoA

Ribose 5-P xylulose 5-P → Sedoheptulose 7-P + Glyceraldehyde 3-P

Deficiency causes:  Beriberi; Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (most common in alcoholics)

Signs/Symptoms:  Beriberi - Tachycardia, vomiting, convulsions

W-K syndrome - Apathy, loss of memory, eye movements

Other names:  Riboflavin

Active Form:  FMN, FAD

Function:  Electron transport

Deficiency is rare.  But can show signs/symptoms of Dermatitis and Angular stomatitis.

Other names:  Niacin, Nicotinic acid, Nicotinamide

Active Form:  NAD⁺, NADP⁺

Function:  Electron transform

Deficiency causes:  Pellagra

Signs/Symptoms:  Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia

High doses of niacin is used to treat Hyperlipidemia.

Other names:  Pantothenic acid

Active Form:  Coenzyme A

Function:  Acyl carrier

Deficiencies are rare.

Other names:  Biotin

Active Form:  Enzyme-bound biotin

Function:  Carboxylation reactions

Deficiencies are rare.  Consumption of raw egg whites can induce biotin deficiency.  Raw egg whites contains avidin that binds biotin.

Other names:  Folic acid

Active form:  Tetrahydrofolic acid

Function:  Transfer one-carbon units - Synthesis of methionine, purines, and thymine

Deficiency causes:  Megaloblastic anemia; Neural tube defects

Signs/Symptoms:  MA - Anemia;  NT defects - Birth defects

Administration of high levels of folate can mask B₁₂ deficiency.

Other names:  Cobalamin

Active Form:  Methylcobalamin; Deoxyadenosyl cobalamin

Function:  Cofactor for the following reactions - 

Homocysteine → Methionine

Methylmalonyl CoA → Succinyl CoA

Deficiency causes:  Pernicious anemia; Dementia; Spinal degeneration

Signs/Symptoms:  PA - Megaloblastic anemia;  Dementia - Neuropsychiatric symptoms

Pernicious anemia is treated with IM or high-dose oral vitamin B₁₂

Other names:  Ascorbic acid

Active Form:  Ascorbic acid

Function:  Antioxidant; Cofactor for hydroxylation reactions, for example in procollagen:  Proline → hydroxyproline; Lysine → Hydroxylysine

Deficiency causes:  Scurvy

Signs/Symptoms:  Sore, spongy gums; Loose teeth; Poor wound healing

Benefits of supplementation not established in controlled trials.

Other names:  Pridoxine, Pyridoxamine, Pyridoxal

Active Form:  Pyridoxal phosphate

Function:  Cofactor for enzymes, particularly in AA metabolism

Deficiency is rare.  Signs/Symptoms show Glossitis, Neuropathy.

Can reach toxic levels.  Deficiency can be induced by isoniazid.  Sensory neuropathy occurs at high doses.