Introduction
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Food Science and Human Nutrition Program and Human Nutrition Program
Malia paha he iki ‘unu, pa‘a ka pōhaku nui ‘a‘ole e ka‘a
Perhaps it is the small stone that can keep the big rock from rolling down
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe the role of vitamins as antioxidants in the body
- Describe the functions and sources of antioxidant micronutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant minerals
- Describe the functions of vitamins in catabolic pathways, anabolic pathways
Vitamins are obtained from the different types of foods that we consume. If a diet is lacking a certain type of , a deficiency may occur. The traditional diet in Pohnpei (an island in the Federal States of Micronesia) consisted of a diet rich in local tropical produce such as bananas, papaya, mango, pineapple, coconut as well as seafood. However, due to a shift in dietary patterns from fresh foods to processed and refined foods the island is suffering from a magnitude of health concerns. A study conducted by the Department of Health of the Federated States of Micronesia on children aged two to four years old in Pohnpei showed that the prevalence for deficiency among children aged 2-5 was 53 percent[1].
To combat this issue the Island Food Community of Pohnpei has been instrumental in promoting the citizens of Pohnpei to increase local karat banana consumption. The karat banana is rich in (a source of vitamin A) and increasing consumption among the locals will decrease the prevalence of vitamin A deficiencies in Pohnpei. For further information on this issue visit the Island Food Community of Pohnpei’s website at http://www.islandfood.org/ and watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGVxnefqbTQ.
Vitamins are organic compounds that are traditionally assigned to two groups (hydrophobic) or (hydrophilic). This classification determines where they act in the body. vitamins act in the cytosol of cells or in extracellular fluids such as blood; fat-soluble vitamins are largely responsible for protecting cell membranes from free radical damage. The body can synthesize some vitamins, but others must be obtained from the diet.
Figure 9.1 The Vitamins
One major difference between fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins is the way they are absorbed in the body. Vitamins are absorbed primarily in the small intestine and their is dependent on the food composition of the diet. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fat. Therefore, if a meal is very low in fat, the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins will be impaired. Once fat-soluble vitamins have been absorbed in the small intestine, they are packaged and incorporated into along with other fatty acids and transported in the lymphatic system to the liver. Water-soluble vitamins on the other hand are absorbed in the small intestine but are transported to the liver through blood vessels.
Figure 9.2 “Absorption of Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble Vitamins
Learning Activities
Technology Note: The second edition of the Human Nutrition Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook features interactive learning activities. These activities are available in the web-based textbook and not available in the downloadable versions (EPUB, Digital PDF, Print_PDF, or Open Document).
Learning activities may be used across various mobile devices, however, for the best user experience it is strongly recommended that users complete these activities using a desktop or laptop computer and in Google Chrome.
- Yamamura CM, Sullivan KM. (2004). Risk factors for vitamin A deficiency among preschool aged children in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 50(1),16-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14984164. Accessed October 15, 2017. ↵
A substance in food that can provide energy, contribute to body structure, and/or regulate body processes.
Organic compounds that are needed in small amounts in the diet to support and regulate the chemical reactions and processes needed for growth, reproduction, and the maintenance of health.
A fat-soluble vitamin that is needed for cell differentiation, reproduction, and vision.
A carotenoid that can be cleaved to release two retinol molecules.
A substance that does not dissolve in water. Examples include triglycerides and vitamins A, D, E & K.
A substance that dissolves in water. This may include minerals, sugars, B vitamins and vitamin C.
The amount of a dietary nutrient that is absorbed and utilized by the body.
The lowest density lipoprotein particles which contain triglycerides, monoglycerides, and small amounts of cholesterol and phospholipids.