VITAMIN A


Synonym: retinol, axeroftol

Characterization: fat – soluble, pale yellow primary alcohol, in organism is formed by the change of provitamin ß – carotene, it is absorbed in small intestine and stored in liver and hypodermic fat
Function:
- necessary for normal function of cells (cell division, stabilization of cell membranes)
- growth and rebuilding of bodily tissues
- building and protection of integrity of skin
- helps to keep the skin smooth and healthy, important by of skin
- prevention against acne and inflammation of skin, mucous membranes, nose, neck, lungs, digestive and excretive system, whereby raises the immunity against infections and inflammations, formation of mucous phlegm
- encourages the creation of bones and tooth, development of placenta
- important precursor of light - sensitive pigments (essential for eyesight during reduced intensity of light)
- synthesis of glycoproteins and steroids (formation of hormones)
- key part during reproduction (lowers the risk of certain types of tumours)
Deficiency problems (hypovitaminosis): difficulty in adapting to darkness, drying up of eye conjunctiva, insufficient forming of tears, light shyness, softening of cornea, dry skin, hair without shine, raised acidity of gastric content, diarrhoea, frequent infections of urinary tubes, presence of blood in urine, kidney stones, infections of respiratory system, eliminated immunity against infections, at children slowed down growth and disorders of intelligence, falling out of tooth and slow down of growth of gums
Illness from total deficiency (avitaminosis): night blindness, permanent blindness, and extremely dry skin, roughening of the skin
Abundance problems (hypervitaminosis): tiredness, feeling of bad, lethargy, irritation, headache (raised cranial force), intestinal problems, disfavour of food, nausea, throwing out, slimming, diarrhoea, falling out of hair, bleeding, pain of bones and joints, dryness and crackling of lips and skin, itching and yellowing of skin, voluptuousness, interfere with growth or lower height, stop menstruation
Daily need: from 0.45 mg to 1.5 mg
Sources: obtained from carotene, which is found in vegetables – carrots, broccoli, squash, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes or absorbing it from plant-eating organisms – fish-liver oil, yolk in eggs, liver, animal fats, milk, vegetables – carrot, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, kale, fruit – apricots, oranges and butter

VITAMIN B


Vitamins B also called as the B complex are water-soluble substances, which are an important part of carbohydrate metabolism. There are a lot of them, but the most important are: B1 – thiamine, B2 – riboflavin, B3 = PP – niacin, B6 – pyridoxine, B12 – cobalamin, H – biotin, panthotenic acid and folic acid. The good sources are especially yeast, liver, whole grains, and except inzytol they all consist from nitrogen.