Chapter 10: Water-Soluble Vitamins

hemochromatosis

A blood disorder characterized by the retention of an excessive amount of iron.

ariboflavinosis

A deficiency of riboflavin characterized by stomatitis, glossitis, and cheilosis.

scurvy

A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and characterized by bleeding gums and a skin rash.

pellagra

A disease resulting from a deficiency of niacin or tryptophan.

pernicious anemia

A form of anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor needed for absorption of vitamin B12, forming large, immature red blood cells.

macrocytic anemia

A form of anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells.

microcytic hypochromic anemia

A form of anemia in which red blood cells are small and pale in color due to lack of hemoglobin synthesis due to vitamin B6 deficiency.

nicotinic acid

A form of niacin found in foods and sometimes prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol.

nicotinamide

A form of niacin that is found in food and as a topical cream in treating acne.

tumor suppressor gene

A gene that helps control cell growth; mutations in these genes may lead to cancer.

oncogene

A gene that is a mutated form of a gene involved in normal cell growth, which contributes to cancer development.

cancer

A general term for a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

anencephaly

A neural tube defect that results in the absence of major parts of the brain and spinal cord.

collagen

A protein found in connective tissue, including bones, teeth, skin, cartilage, and tendons.

avidin

A protein in raw egg whites that binds biotin.

spina bifida

A serious birth defect in which the spinal cord is malformed and lacks the protective membrane coat.

choline

A vitamin-like substance that is a precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for healthy nerves. Also a component of the phospholipid lecithin.

lipoic acid

A vitamin-like substance used in energy production; it may also act as an antioxidant.

carnitine

A vitamin-like substance used to transport fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane to properly utilize fat.

inositol

A water-soluble compound synthesized in the body that maintains healthy cell membranes.

riboflavin

Also known as B2, this vitamin is involved in transfering hydrogen ions to various coenzymes and plays an important role in energy metabolism; coenzymes flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) are electron carriers in oxidation-reduction reactions during the TCA cycle.

pantothenic acid

Also known as Vitamin B5, this water-soluble vitamin is involved in the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (a component of fatty acid synthesis); it is essential in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

biotin

Also known as Vitamin B7, this water-soluble vitamin is important in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism; it also plays a role in healthy hair and nails.

folate

Also known as Vitamin B9, this water-soluble vitamin is required for DNA metabolism, homocysteine regulation, birth defect prevention, cancer reduction, and red blood cells production.

vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid, this water-soluble vitamin is involved in collagen production; it also functions as an antioxidant, enhances nonheme iron absorption, enables white blood cell production, and may reduce the body's response to stress.

niacin

Also known as vitamin B3, the two active forms are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide; coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) are central to the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and alcohol. This vitamin helps keep skin healthy, the digestive system functioning, helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and raise HDL.

neural tube defects

Any major birth defect of the central nervous system, including the brain, caused by failure of the neural tube to properly close during fetal development.

carcinogen

Cancer-causing substance, including tobacco smoke, air and water pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and various chemicals.

atrophic gastritis

Chronic inflammation of the stomach; may lead to vitamin B12 malabsorption.

thiamin

First B vitamin to be discovered, it is also known as vitamin B1; dietary forms are converted to coenzyme thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP). This vitamin plays a role in energy and protein metabolism, is used to create pentoses for DNA and RNA, and may assist in manufacturing nerve signal conduction chemicals.

coenzymes

Organic substances, often vitamins, that bind to an enzyme to facilitate enzyme activity; unlike enzymes, coenzymes can be altered by the chemical reaction.

vitamin B12

Part of a family of cobalamin compounds, such as cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin, this water-soluble vitamin is involved in homocysteine metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, macronutrient metabolism, folate activation, red blood cell formation, and nerve tissue development.

proto-oncogenes

Specialized genes that turn on and off cell division.

folic acid

The form of folate often used in vitamin supplements and fortification of foods.

carcinogenesis

The process of cancer development.

beriberi

The thiamin deficiency that results in weakness; the name translates to "I can not."

vitamin B6

This water-soluble vitamin is a coenzyme to over 100 enzymes, most of which are involved in protein or carbohydrate metabolism; it is also needed for the production of hemoglobin, for maintenance of the immune system, and for keeping the nervous system healthy.

B vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins; includes thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12.