Vitamin A (retinoid) and pro-vitamin A (carotenoids)
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- Vision in dim light and color vision
- Promote growth
- Prevent drying of skin and eyes
- Promote resistance to bacterial infection
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Poor growth, night blindness, dry skin(keratinization), Xerophthalmia
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Preformed vitamin A: liver, fortified milk, fish liver oils Provitamin A: red, orange, dark green, and yellow vegetables, orange fruits
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Headache, vomiting, double vision, hair loss, dry mucous membranes, bone and joint pain, fractures, liver damage, hemorrhage, coma
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Vitamin D (Chole-and ergo-calciferol
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- Facilitates absorption of calcium and phosphorus
- Maintains optimum calcification of bone
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Rickets in children, Osteomalacia in older adults Osteoporosis
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Egg Yolk, Milk. Exposure to sun enables body to make its own Vitamin D.
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Calcification of soft tissues, growth restriction, excess calcium excretion via the kidney.
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Vitamin E (Tocopherols Tocotrienols)
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- Antioxidant
- Prevent breakdown of vitamin A and unsaturated fatty acids
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Hemolysis of red blood cells, Degeneration of sensory neurons
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Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables
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Inhibition of vitamin K metabolism.
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Vitamin K (Phyllo- and menaquinone)
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Synthesis of blood clotting factors and bone proteins
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Hemorrhage, fractures
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Green leafy vegetables, liver, also synthesized by intestinal microorganisms
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No upper level has been set
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