VITAMIN B5 DEFICIENCY

DOC I HAVE VITAMIN B5 DEFICIENCY

Vitamin B5(Pantothenic acid) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Vitamin B5 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Functions of Vitamin B5:
1.Vitamin B5 plays an important role in the secretion of hormones, such as cortisone because of the role it plays in supporting the adrenal gland.
These hormones assist the metabolism:
2.It is essential for metabolism of fats,carbohydrates and protein 
to make fatty acids and cholesterol.
3.It help to fight allergies
4.It assists in the the maintenance of healthy skin, muscles and nerves.
5.It is used in the creation of lipids, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones and hemoglobin.
6.pantothenic acid is also helpful to fight wrinkles as well as graying of the hair.

Vitamin B5 is found primarily in
1.Beef,  eggs, organ meats. kidney,  liver,  pork,  saltwater fish,
2.fresh vegetables, legumes,mushrooms, nuts, torula yeast, whole rye flour, Whole grains,royal jelly,brewer’s yeast,

Optimal requirements of Vitamin B5 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 5 mg to 10mg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.
2.Infants and children before puberty: 5 mg daily

Causes:
Vitamin B5 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B5 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B5
b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis
2.Vitamin B5 can be lost in cooking -
a.particularly with roasting or milling,
b.when exposed to acids like vinegar,
c.alkali such as baking soda.
d.It is also destroyed to a large degree in canning.
3.People under stress,
4.prone to allergies,
5.consuming alcohol 
6.eating too many refined foods can develop a shortage of this vitamin.

Severity of Vitamin B5 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.

Symptoms:
1.Vitamin B5 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B5 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.

2.fatigue,

3.headaches,

4.nausea,

5.tingling in the hands, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensation such as "burning feet" syndrome)

6.depression,

7.personality changes,sleep disturbances

8.cardiac instability .

9.Frequent infection,

10.muscle weakness and cramps

Diagnosis:

1.Blood Vitamin B5 levels are low
2.lowered blood cholesterol,
3.decreased serum potassium, 
4.failure of adrenocorticotropin to induce eosinopenia.
5.increased insulin sensitivity,

Treatment:
The goal of Vitamin B5 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of peripheral neuropathy and skin lesions.

Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B5 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B5 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:

Medications:
Vitamin B5 supplements
1.Vitamin B5 is given at 10-20 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.

2.It is most effective when taken with the B group vitamins, Vitamin A, vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Side effects are:
1.Vitamin B5 does not give side effects because being water soluble it is excreted easily in the urine if large doses are ingested

2. diarrhea, digestive disturbances and water retention have been reported on dosage exceeding 10 g a day.

Prognosis:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B5 deficiency in early stages.

2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B5 Deficiency.

Prevention:
take more red meat, liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.

VITAMIN B3 DEFICIENCY

DOC I HAVE VITAMIN B3 DEFICIENCY

Vitamin B3(Niacin) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human

body of Vitamin B3 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Vitamin B3 is present in all living human tissues as an important anti-oxidant and enzymes in the metabolism of food

Functions of Vitamin B3:
1.It helps the body make various sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and
other parts of the body.

2.It has a role in improving circulation and reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
Niacin has been used to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It also increase the HDL or good cholesterol.

In fact it is even better than many branded cholesterol lowering medicines.

3.Because of its effect on the cholesterol and fats, it has been given to help prevent atherosclerosis. However niacin can also increase homocysteine levels in the blood which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

4.Osteoarthritis-it has been suggested that niacinamide can help relief arthritis and improve joint mobility and symptoms

5.Azheimer's Disease -studies show that people with higher niacin levels in the diet has lower risk of Alzeimer's disease.

6.Skin conditions - topical forms of niacin has been used as treatment foe acne, aging skin and
prevention of skin cancer.

7.All B vitamins help the body to metabolize food (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) into fuel (glucose, amino acids, cholesterol) and therefore improve energy.

Vitamin B3 is found primarily in
1.animal sources - beef liver, beef kidney, fish, salmon, swordfish, tuna
Foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid the body converts into niacin, include poultry, red
meat, eggs, and dairy products.

2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B2 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, yeast, cereals,sunflower seeds,and peanuts

Optimal requirements of Vitamin B3 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 14 mg to 16 mg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.


2.Infants and children before puberty: 2 mg to 12 mg daily

Causes of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
Vitamin B3 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B3 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B3
b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis

2.Severity of Vitamin B32 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.

3.It is rare for any person in the developed world to have vitamin B3 deficiency.
The main cause in the developed world is alcoholism.

Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Vitamin B3 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B3 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.
They may have:
2.indigestion
3.fatigue
4.depression

In severe Vitamin B3 deficiency, a condition called pellegra develops with the following symptoms(the 3 D):
1.dermatitis -cracked scaly skin

2.dementia - mental confusion

3.diarrhea - loose stools

Other symptoms are burning sensation in the mouth and a swollen red bright red tongue.

Diagnosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.Blood Vitamin B3 levels are low

Treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
The goal of Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of pellegra.
Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B3 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:

Medications:
Vitamin B3 supplements- 3 types are available:
niacin, niacinamide or inositol hexaniacinate
Vitamin B3 is given at 100 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.
Side effects are:
1.Vitamin B3 in high doses can give rise to side effects sucha s flushing of the face, stomach
upset, headache, giddiness and blurring of vision.

2. There is also a danger of liver damage.
It can interact with cholesterol lowering drugs, aspirin,blood pressure and diabetes medicines

Prognosis of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B3 deficiency in early stages.

2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B3 Deficiency.

Prevention of Vitamin B3 Deficiency:
1.take more liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.

2.avoid alcohol.

A Family Doctor's Tale - VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

DOC I HAVE VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Vitamin B12 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Vitamin B12 is present in all living human tissues as an important  ingredient in the production of red blood cells.

Functions of Vitamin B12:
1.It is important in metabolism of labile methyl groups example biosynthesis of choline and methionine

2.It maintains glutathione in reduced state

3.It is important in the maturation of erythrocytes, neurologic function and growth.

Vitamin B12 is found primarily in
1.animal sources - red meat, liver, milk, egg yolks
2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B12 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, cereals

Optimal requirements of Vitamin B12 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 1 mcg to 2 mcg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.
2.Infants and children before puberty: 0.5 mcg to 1 mcg daily

Causes:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B12 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation, vegetarians

b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis


c.intestinal parasites such as diphyllobothrium latum


d.pernicious anemia when the gastric mucosa  cannot produce the intrinsic factor necessary for vitamin B12 absorption

2.Severity of Vitamin B12 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.

Symptoms:
1.Vitamin B12 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B12 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.

2.Blood - anemia with pallor, shortness of breath and weakness


3.Brain -subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord and brain

  - numbness of hands and feet

                 -giddiness

                 -developmental delays and failure to thrive in children

4.Mental -depression, fatigue, mental confusion

Diagnosis:
1.Blood Vitamin B12 levels are low

Complications:

Serious complications of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

1.anemia

2.nerve damage

3.abnormalities in growth and development

4.brain dysfunction including depression and dementia

Treatment:
The goal of Vitamin B12 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of pernicious anemia and peripheral neuropathy.

Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B12 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B12 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:

Medications:
Vitamin B12 supplements
1.Vitamin B12 is given at 100 mcg per day by injection which may be a life long treatment in cases when the body cannot absorb oral Vitamin B12


2.Oral Vitamin B12 tablets can be given in people who can absorb the vitamin in the stomach.

 It can also be given sublingually or through the nasal route.

3.treat the underlying causes such as gastric problems and gastrectomy, malabsorption, decreased intake in the case of vegetarians

Side effects of Vitamin B12 are:
1.Vitamin B12 does not give side effects because being water soluble it is excreted easily in the urine if large doses are ingested

Prognosis:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B12 deficiency in early stages.

2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Prevention:
take more red meat, liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.

Vegetarians should take Vitamin B12 supplements.

A Family Doctor's Tale - VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY

DOC I HAVE Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Vitamin B6(pyridoxine) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Vitamin B6 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Vitamin B6 is present in all living human tissues as an important  enzymes in amino acid metabolism

Functions of Vitamin B6:
1.It is converted to pyridoxal phosphate a co-enzyme of a seies of enzymes that atalyze tramination, decarboxylation and deamination of amin acids.

Vitamin B6 is found primarily in
1.animal sources - red meat, liver, milk, egg yolks
2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B6 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, cereals

It is rare as a isolated Vitamin B6 deficiency.

Optimal requirements of Vitamin B6 are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 1 mg to 2 mg daily
Pregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.
2.Infants and children before puberty: 0.5 mg to 1 mg daily

Causes:
Vitamin B6 Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Vitamin B6 deficiencies due to
a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B6
b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis
c.alcoholism
d.medications such as isoniazid, hydralazine, cycloserine and penicillamine

2.Severity of Vitamin B6 deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.

Symptoms:
1.Vitamin B6 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages.
People with Vitamin B6 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.

2.Skin changes - seborrheic dermatitis of nose, mouth

3.Mucosal changes -oral erosions of the buccal lining

3.peripheral neuropathy

Diagnosis:
1.Blood Vitamin B6 levels are low

Treatment:
The goal of Vitamin B6 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of peripheral neuropathy and skin lesions.

Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B6 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B6 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:

Medications:
Vitamin B6 supplements
1.Vitamin B6 is given at 5 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.

2.prevention of Vitamin B6 deficiency in people taking isoniazid, hydralazine, cycloserine and penicillinamine

3.Patients with homocystinuria
Side effects are:
1.Vitamin B6 does not give side effects because being water soluble it is excreted easily in the urine if large doses are ingested

2.It should not be given in patients taking levodopa because it antagonizes the effects of the drug.
Prognosis:
1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B6 deficiency in early stages.

2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B6 Deficiency.

Prevention:
take more red meat, liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.