Vitamins

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed along with fats in the diet and are stored in the body’s fatty tissue and in the liver. They are predominantly found in animal foods. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.

Healthy animals fed on their natural diet will have a greater amount of Fat Soluble Vitamins stored.

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Chemical Formula: C20H30O

Functions: Metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response.

Deficiency Symptoms: Night blindness, keratomalacia, hyperkeratosis

Sources: Liver, Fish Oil, Dairy Fat, Egg Yolks

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

Chemical Formula: C27H44O

Functions: Regulator of Bone Mineral absorption, primarily Calcium and Phosphate.

Deficiency Symptoms: Rickets, Osteomalacia

Sources: Synthesis in skin from UV Light, Organs, Fish Oil, Dairy Fat, Egg Yolks

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Chemical Formula: C29H50O2

Functions: Antioxidant, Cell membrane integrity, terminates carbon centered free radicals

Deficiency Symptoms: Anaemia, Neuropathy, Myopathy

Sources: Fish Oil, Animal Fat, Avocado, Nuts, Fruit

Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)

Chemical Formula: 46H64O2

Functions: Activates blood clotting factors, Carboxylates bone and kidney proteins

Deficiency Symptoms: Defective blood clotting

Sources: Liver, Fermented foods

Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that can dissolve in water, Water-soluble vitamins are carried to the body's tissues but are not stored in the body. Therefore it is important to ingest these on a regular or daily basis in order to maintain blood chemistry.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Chemical Formula: C6H8O6

Functions: Antioxidant. Maintain connective tissue and bone. Coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Synthesis of collagen, carnitine & norepinephrine.

Deficiency Symptoms: Scurvy, Appetite loss, Fatigue, Poor wound healing, Bleeding gums

Sources: Fruits, Lemons, Raw Meat

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Chemical Formula: C6H8O6

Functions: Aids the conversion of energy and normal growth/development. Helps to maintain proper functioning of the heart and the nervous and digestive systems.

Deficiency Symptoms: Beri Beri, muscle weakness, anorexia, tachycardia, enlarged heart, edema.

Sources: Muscle Meat, Organ Meats

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Chemical Formula: C17H20N4O6

Functions: A precursor of coenzymes called FAD and FMN, which are needed for flavoprotein enzyme reactions, including activation of other vitamins

Deficiency Symptoms: Cheilosis, glossitis, hyperemia, edema of oral mucus membranes, angular stomatitis, photophobia

Sources: Liver, Red Meat, Milk, Oysters

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Chemical Formula: C6H5NO2

Functions: energy transfer reactions in the metabolism of glucose, fat and alcohol. NAD carries hydrogens and their electrons during metabolic reactions.

Deficiency Symptoms: Pellagra, diarrhea, dermatitis, mental confusion,

Sources: Fish, Liver, Poultry, Meat

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Chemical Formula: C9H17NO5

Functions: involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. Coenzyme A, which can be synthesised from pantothenic acid, is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, ketone bodies, cholesterol, phospholipids, steroid hormones, neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine), and antibodies

Deficiency Symptoms: Numbness and tingling of hands & feet, vomiting, fatigue

Sources: Egg Yolk, Liver, Kidney

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Chemical Formula: C6H5NO2

Functions: The active form pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) (depicted) serves as a cofactor in many enzyme reactions mainly in amino acid metabolism including biosynthesis of neurotransmitters.

Deficiency Symptoms: Dermatitis, Glossitis, convulsions

Sources: Meat, Fish, Fruit

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Chemical Formula: C10H16N2O3S

Functions: A coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes, needed for synthesis of fatty acids and in gluconeogenesis.

Deficiency Symptoms: Anorexia, nausea, glossitis, depression, dry, scaly dermatitis

Sources: Liver, Kidney, Egg yolks

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Chemical Formula: C19H19N7O6

Functions: A precursor needed to make, repair, and methylate DNA; a cofactor in various reactions; especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as in infancy and pregnancy.

Deficiency Symptoms: Anaemia, diarrhea, fatigue, depression, confusion

Sources: Liver

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Chemical Formula: C63H88CoN14O14P

Functions: A coenzyme involved in the metabolism of all animal cells, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism

Deficiency Symptoms: Megaloblastic anaemia, degeneration of peripheral nerves, skin hypersensitivity, glossitis

Sources: Meat, Organs, Fish, Shellfish, Poultry, Eggs