Vitamin Defi ciencies

General Comments on Vitamin Defi ciencies .......................................................................................................................... 178 Vitamin A ................................................................................................................................................................................ 179

Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 179 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 179 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 180 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 180 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 180

Vitamin E ................................................................................................................................................................................ 181 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 181 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 181 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 181 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 182

Vitamin K ................................................................................................................................................................................ 182 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 182 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 182 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 183 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 183 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 184

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) ............................................................................................................................................................ 184 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 184 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 184 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 184 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 185 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 185

Ribofl avin (Vitamin B2) .......................................................................................................................................................... 185 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 185 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 185 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 186 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 186 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 186

Niacin (Sometimes Referred to as Vitamin B3) ...................................................................................................................... 186 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 186 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 186 Laboratory Diagnosis and Defi ciency ................................................................................................................................ 188 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 188 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 188

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) ......................................................................................................................................................... 188 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 188 Defi ciency .......................................................................................................................................................................... 188 Laboratory Diagnosis of Defi ciency .................................................................................................................................. 189 Prevention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 189 Treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 189

In this era of increasing obesity and growing portion sizes, with food fortifi cation well established and nutritional supplements widely consumed by the public, it is important to keep in mind those special circumstances in which vitamin defi ciencies still continue to occur. A diet high in calories is not necessarily high in nutrients. In fact, a high-fat diet based to a large degree on “fast foods” may be low in some of the essential vitamins and minerals.