Water-Soluble Vitamins : types, effect, sources

Water-Soluble Vitamins : types, effect, sources

Water soluble vitamins contain two types of vitamins-

• Vitamin B complex 
• vitamin C

1. Vitamin “B-complex” 

The first known vitamin, which was isolated from rice bran by Funk in 1912, was water soluble and nitrogenous. He named it Vitamin "B". Later about ten other similar vitamins were discovered and all of them were given the collective name of "B-complex". These vitamins form the major part of the coenzymes which take an active part in the metabolism. The major "B-complex" vitamins are:

1. Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
2. Vitamin B2, or "G", or Riboflavin
3. Vitamin B3 Nicotinic Acid, or Niacin, or Vitamin 'PP'
4. Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine
5. Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid
6. Vitamin B7 Biotin
7. Vitamin B9 Folic Acid Group
8. Vitamin “B12” or Cyanocobalamin

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine

1. The same vitamin was prepared by Funk in 1912 from rice bran, but it was isolated in pure form by Williams in 1934. Soon after knowing its molecular structure, Williams synthesized it artificially in 1937.
2. Jansen (1949) prepared its pure crystals. It is a component of coenzymes, namely cocarboxylase enzymes, which induce reactions that remove CO2 from organic matter in the oxidative metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Hence it is essential for the functioning of nerves, muscles and heart.
3. We get it from cereal shells, milk, green vegetables, potatoes, yeast, meat, nuts, soybeans, fish, eggs, etc.
4. Our central nervous system depends almost entirely on carbohydrate metabolism for energy. Therefore, due to the deficiency of this vitamin, the functioning of the nervous system and muscles deteriorates, due to which there can be a possibility of paralysis.
5. The heartbeat may stop due to the weakening of the muscles. Indigestion and constipation may occur. These three symptoms are collectively called the disease of beri-beri.

Vitamin B2, or "G", or Riboflavin

1. It was discovered in 1935 when it was extracted from milk.
2. It is dark yellow in color and a component of FAD and FMN, the coenzymes involved in oxidative metabolism. Hence it is essential for health and growth.
3. It is also required for the synthesis of hormones in the adrenal glands.
4. It is found in cheese, eggs, yeast, tomatoes, green leaves, liver, meat, milk etc.
5. Its deficiency causes the corners of the mouth to crack (Cheilosis). Weak digestion, irritation of the skin and eyes, headache, mental retardation, haemoptysis, poor memory and scaly skin on the lips and nostrils are other symptoms of deficiency of this vitamin.

Vitamin B3 Nicotinic Acid, or Niacin, or Vitamin 'PP'

1. It is an active component of the coenzymes NAD and NADP involved in oxidative metabolism.
2. It plays an important role in the function of the digestive and nervous systems, protection of the skin and secretion of sex hormones.
3. We get it from fresh meat, liver, fish, eggs, yeast, grains, milk, peas, nuts, legumes etc.
4. Due to its deficiency, pellagra is a disease in which rash and crusts appear on the tongue and skin (dermatitis), due to weakening of digestive power, diarrhea (diarrhoea), muscles become weak,
5. Fertility decreases and due to the weakening of the nervous system, it can lead to dementia.

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine

1. It is a coenzyme of enzymes that take an important part in the metabolism of amino acids. It has special importance in the formation of red blood cells and immune proteins and in the physiology of the digestive and nervous systems.
2. It is found in milk, cereals, meat, fish, liver, yeast, bananas, potatoes, nuts etc.
3. Its deficiency causes anemia, dermatitis, convulsions, weakness, nausea, constipation, kidney stones, etc.
4. Gut bacteria also synthesize it. That's why there is no shortage of it.

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid

1. It is a component of the important coenzyme "A" that participates in the oxidative metabolism of all types of nutrients.
2. It is also important for the secretion of the adrenal glands, for normal growth and development, and for the function of the nervous system.
3. It is found in all types of foods, but it is found more in liver, kidneys, eggs, meat, milk, peanuts, sugarcane, cereals, sweet potatoes, yeast etc.
4. Its deficiency is difficult in the body. Nevertheless, deficiency causes skin diseases, retarded intelligence, numbness in hands and feet, tiredness, headache, nausea, graying of hair and reduced fertility.

Vitamin B7 Biotin

1. It is a coenzyme of enzymes involved in the synthesis of glycogen, fatty acids, amino acids and pyrimidines, the breakdown of fatty acids and carbohydrates, and the excretion of waste products of protein breakdown.
2. It is found in vegetables, fruits, wheat, bananas, grapes, watermelon, chocolate, eggs, groundnut, liver, meat, yeast etc. Gut bacteria also synthesize it.
3. Its deficiency causes skin diseases, hair loss, weakness and loss of appetite.

Vitamin B9 Folic Acid Group

1. They are essential for formation of red blood cells, synthesis of DNA, growth, reproduction and function of the nervous system.
2. These are found in green leaves (spinach), soybean, yeast, kidneys, legumes, mushrooms and liver etc. Their deficiency leads to low growth and anemia.

Vitamin “B12” or Cyanocobalamin

1. It is a coenzyme of enzymes involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and in the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow and in the function of the nervous system. Hence it is necessary for growth.
2. Its injections are used in the treatment of pernicious anemia.
3. Due to its deficiency, the function of the nervous system gets disturbed, the memory power decreases and the spinal cord becomes weak.
4. It is found in meat, fish, liver, eggs, milk, cheese etc. Gut bacteria also synthesize it.

Vitamin “C” or Ascorbic Acid

1. This vitamin was first discovered in the 18th century itself. Its main function is the formation and maintenance of the matrix of the intercellular substance that binds cells together in tissues, collagen fibers, the matrix of bones, and the dentin of teeth.
2. Probably this vitamin is a coenzyme of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these substances.
3. By controlling iron metabolism, it also helps in the formation of red blood cells.
4. The association of this vitamin with scurvy disease of seafarers is known since ancient times. It is said that when Vasco-da-Gama set out in search of India in 1498 by sea with 180 passengers, 100 of his companions had fallen victim to this disease even before reaching the Indian coast.

Effects of scurvy on the body

1. The most important effect in scurvy is the non-healing of wounds.
2. Wounds take months to heal due to lack of collagen fibers and intercellular material.
3. In the second effect of this disease, the growth of bone and teeth stops.
4. This makes the bones weak and it becomes difficult for the broken bone to join. In the third effect, anemia occurs and due to the weakening of the wall of the blood capillaries, they start bursting.
5. In addition, the body's immunity and fertility decrease, muscles tear, gingivitis and tooth loss, bleeding gums and foul smell, bloody stools, etc. There is blood in the stool, swelling of the joints and high fever.
6. By completing the deficiency of vitamins, one gets rid of scurvy disease.
7. It is found in lemon, orange, sweet lime, tomato, green chilli, amla, guava, kamarkha and green vegetables, potatoes etc. Therefore, scurvy occurs in such persons who subsist only on milk, meat, eggs and grains.