424
alimentary tract. Certain liver and kidney disorders may result in excessive excretion
of vitamin D in the urine and feces, thus leading to vitamin D deficiency. If calcium
and phosphorus homeostasis is disturbed, bone changes quickly follow. Clinical
studies reveal that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in tuberculosis, stroke, high
blood pressure, and inflammatory bowel disease. Low vitamin D levels could be a
risk factor for arteriosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Ingestion of
excessive quantities of vitamin D may be toxic, and can result in bone and/or pain,
diffuse demineralization of bones, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, thirst, sore eyes,
itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary urgency, and abnormal calcium levels in the
urine (indicative of kidney stones). High doses of vitamin D cause a build-up of calcium in soft tissues and in organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and muscles.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E represents a group of lipids with an isoprene structure and it is the only
one possessing eight homologous forms. Vitamin E absorption requires the presence of fat; however, limited information exists on the influence of fat quantity on
optimal absorption. In a study, the absorption of stable-isotope-labeled vitamin E
following meals of varying fat content and source (Jeanes et al. 2004). These results
demonstrate that both the amount of fat and the food matrix influence vitamin E
absorption.
When cholesterol levels are in their normal state, they are balanced, typical and
healthy. However, when cholesterol oxidizes, it becomes unsafe. Some isomers of
vitamin E are protective antioxidants that battle with cholesterol oxidation. This
happens as they can scrap free radical damage in the body, leading to cholesterol
oxidation. Tocotrienol isomers of vitamin E have three double bonds that absolutely
influence cardiovascular health due to their capability to diminish the activity of an
enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) that regulates cholesterol synthesis. The isomers can also stop cell adhesion and hence slow down the process of atherosclerosis
(thickening of the arteries). It is also important to note that synthetic vitamin E does
not appear to have the same benefits as natural forms. Excessive alpha-tocopherol
can, in fact, hinder with the cholesterol-lowering act of delta and gamma- tocotrienols,
which are the two most bioactive tocotrienols and the types linked to cardioprotective activities.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a vital role in the manufacture of proteins that mediate blood clotting. Vitamin K also supports healthy bones because it promotes the absorption and
use of calcium, a mineral the body uses to build bone tissue. Vitamin K exists in two
forms: K 1 is produced by plants and is the most common form in dietary sources,
G. J. Swamy et al.
alimentary tract. Certain liver and kidney disorders may result in excessive excretion
of vitamin D in the urine and feces, thus leading to vitamin D deficiency. If calcium
and phosphorus homeostasis is disturbed, bone changes quickly follow. Clinical
studies reveal that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in tuberculosis, stroke, high
blood pressure, and inflammatory bowel disease. Low vitamin D levels could be a
risk factor for arteriosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Ingestion of
excessive quantities of vitamin D may be toxic, and can result in bone and/or pain,
diffuse demineralization of bones, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, thirst, sore eyes,
itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary urgency, and abnormal calcium levels in the
urine (indicative of kidney stones). High doses of vitamin D cause a build-up of calcium in soft tissues and in organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and muscles.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E represents a group of lipids with an isoprene structure and it is the only
one possessing eight homologous forms. Vitamin E absorption requires the presence of fat; however, limited information exists on the influence of fat quantity on
optimal absorption. In a study, the absorption of stable-isotope-labeled vitamin E
following meals of varying fat content and source (Jeanes et al. 2004). These results
demonstrate that both the amount of fat and the food matrix influence vitamin E
absorption.
When cholesterol levels are in their normal state, they are balanced, typical and
healthy. However, when cholesterol oxidizes, it becomes unsafe. Some isomers of
vitamin E are protective antioxidants that battle with cholesterol oxidation. This
happens as they can scrap free radical damage in the body, leading to cholesterol
oxidation. Tocotrienol isomers of vitamin E have three double bonds that absolutely
influence cardiovascular health due to their capability to diminish the activity of an
enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) that regulates cholesterol synthesis. The isomers can also stop cell adhesion and hence slow down the process of atherosclerosis
(thickening of the arteries). It is also important to note that synthetic vitamin E does
not appear to have the same benefits as natural forms. Excessive alpha-tocopherol
can, in fact, hinder with the cholesterol-lowering act of delta and gamma- tocotrienols,
which are the two most bioactive tocotrienols and the types linked to cardioprotective activities.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a vital role in the manufacture of proteins that mediate blood clotting. Vitamin K also supports healthy bones because it promotes the absorption and
use of calcium, a mineral the body uses to build bone tissue. Vitamin K exists in two
forms: K 1 is produced by plants and is the most common form in dietary sources,
G. J. Swamy et al.