Vitamins / विटामिन
Vitamins, their food sources, functions and deficiency diseases are highly important for General Science examinations. The source divides the listed vitamins into fat-soluble and water-soluble groups.
Vitamins के sources, functions और deficiency diseases competitive examinations में frequently पूछे जाते हैं। Source इन्हें Fat-Soluble और Water-Soluble categories में देता है।
Fat-Soluble Vitamins / वसा में घुलनशील विटामिन
A, D, E and K
Vitamin A – Retinol / विटामिन A
Sources: Fish liver oils, dairy products, liver, leafy vegetables and carrots containing carotene.
Function: Healthy epithelial cells and regeneration of rhodopsin in rod cells of the eye.
Deficiency: Dry skin and Night Blindness (Nyctalopia).
कमी: Dry skin तथा रतौंधी।
Vitamin D – Calciferol / विटामिन D
Sources: Fish oils, egg yolk and butter; the source also notes formation by sunlight action on skin.
Function: Promotes calcium absorption and supports normal bone formation.
Deficiency: Rickets in children and Osteomalacia in adults.
Vitamin E – Tocopherol / विटामिन E
Sources: Vegetable oils, cereal products and other foods.
Function: Formation of red blood cells and effects on muscles and reproductive system.
Deficiency in source: Mild anaemia and sterility; deficiency is described as rare in humans.
Vitamin K – Phylloquinone / विटामिन K
Sources: Fresh dark-green vegetables; also made by gut bacteria according to the source.
Function: Formation of prothrombin involved in blood clotting.
Deficiency: Delayed clotting time.
Water-Soluble Vitamins / जल में घुलनशील विटामिन
Vitamin B1 – Thiamine
Sources: Yeast, cereals, nuts, seeds and pork.
Deficiency: Beri-Beri.
Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin
Sources: Liver, milk, eggs and green vegetables.
Deficiency in source: Cracked skin and blurred vision.
Vitamin B3 – Niacin
Sources: Liver, yeast, whole cereals and beans.
Deficiency: Pellagra, with severe skin problems, diarrhoea and dementia in the source.
Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic Acid
Sources: Animal tissue, whole-grain cereals and legumes.
The source associates it with manufacture of adrenal hormone.
Vitamin B6 – Pyridoxine
Sources: Meat, fish, eggs, cereal bran and some vegetables.
Function: Interconversion of amino acids.
Deficiency: Skin problems and nerve disorder.
Folic Acid / फोलिक एसिड
The source labels folic acid as B10. Its listed sources include liver, raw green vegetables, yeast and gut bacteria.
Function: Formation of nucleic acids and red blood cells.
Deficiency: Anaemia, especially during pregnancy.
Vitamin B12 – Cyanocobalamin
Sources: Liver, milk, fish and yeast. The source states none in plant foods.
Function: Maturation of red blood cells and maintenance of myelin sheath of nerves.
Deficiency: Pernicious anaemia and nerve disorders.
Vitamin C – Ascorbic Acid
Sources: Blackcurrants, peppers, sprouts and citrus fruits.
Function: Formation of collagen and intercellular cement.
Deficiency: Scurvy and poor wound healing.
Most Important Exam Pairs / महत्वपूर्ण परीक्षा युग्म
- Vitamin A → Night Blindness
- Vitamin D → Rickets
- Vitamin E → Tocopherol
- Vitamin K → Blood clotting
- Vitamin B1 → Beri-Beri
- Vitamin B3 → Pellagra
- Vitamin B12 → Pernicious Anaemia
- Vitamin C → Scurvy