Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate V · Biochemistry and Nutrition · 03

Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble and stored, so they can build up to toxic levels; the B vitamins and C dissolve in water and are mostly excreted. Several deficiencies show in the mouth: low vitamin C causes swollen, bleeding gingiva, riboflavin deficiency causes angular cheilitis, niacin and B12 deficiencies cause glossitis, and low vitamin K causes bleeding.

High-yield facts · 12

  1. Fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K; they are stored in the body and can build up to toxic levels.S53
  2. Water-soluble vitamins are the B group and C; excess is mostly excreted in urine.S53
  3. Vitamin C RDA: 90 mg/day for adult men, 75 mg/day for women; smokers need 35 mg/day more.S53
  4. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) causes swollen, bleeding gingiva and poor wound healing.S53
  5. Vitamin D RDA is 600 IU (15 mcg)/day for ages 1-70 and 800 IU (20 mcg) over 70; it helps absorb calcium.S53
  6. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.S53
  7. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness and can cause enamel hypoplasia during tooth development.S53
  8. Thiamin (B1) deficiency causes beriberi; niacin (B3) deficiency causes pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, plus glossitis).S53
  9. Riboflavin (B2) deficiency causes angular cheilitis and glossitis.S53
  10. B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia, lack of intrinsic factor) causes a smooth, red, painful tongue and nerve damage.S53
  11. Folate deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia; supplements before and in early pregnancy lower neural tube defect risk (400 mcg/day).S53
  12. Vitamin K is made partly by gut bacteria; deficiency causes bleeding. Newborns get a vitamin K shot.S53

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.