Functions of Vitamin A , Its deficiency, Excess intake; Vitamin B Complex – Its values in food, Vitamin B1 Deficiency

Ayurveda for a healthy life- 50/2025 on 16.04.2025

3A 1.   What are the functions of Vitamin A ? : Vitamin A promotes normal growth and proliferation of the cells of the skin and bones and cells lining the windpipe, intestinal tract, urinary tract and eyeballs. It helps maintain the health of the inner lining of these passages. When it combines with specific proteins, there is formation of visual pigments rhodopsin and iodopsin in the retina of the eye, which are essential for normal vision in dim light.

3A 2.   Diseases due to Vitamin A deficiency : Vitamin A deficiency is likely to occur if the diet is poor in Vitamin A or if the person suffers from chronic diarrhoea. Vitamin A deficiency should be suspected under the following conditions.

   1.    The patient avoids light as he cannot tolerate light.

2.    Dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea

3.    Recurrent attacks of congestion and inflammation of the eyes (Red eyes)

4.    Night blindness

  5.    Affection of the skin and inner lining of the body passages causing frequent cold, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea etc.

6.    Recurrent attacks of urinary infection

7.    Defective outer enamel of teeth

  8.    Dry and scaly skin

 9.    Physical and mental growth is hindered.

10.    Opacity of the cornea or cataract

In night blindness, Vitamin A injection should be administered.

3A 3.   What are the symptoms of excessive intake of Vitamin A ? : Administration of tonics rich in Vitamin A like cod liver oil in large doses is a common cause of Vitamin A poisoning. The symptoms are loss of appetite, nausea, slow growth, drying and cracking of the skin, swelling of the liver and bones, irritability, headache, vomiting, loss of hair and fatigue.

If Vitamin A is injected in a large dose, it increases the intracranial pressure. The symptoms are headache, vomiting, squint etc. Also food is not absorbed properly leading to malnourishment.

3B.   B-complex : As the name suggests, it is a group of several water soluble vitamins having different constitutions and functions. They are thiamine B1, riboflavin B2, nicotinic acid, pyridoxin B6, biotin, calcium pantothenate, folic acid and cyanocobalamin B12.

Each vitamin from this group is a constituent of important enzymes and the functions of these enzymes are related to one another. If there is deficiency of one vitamin from this group in the diet then there are chances of deficiency of other vitamins too. So, usually it is a common trend to give tonics containing Vitamin B complex, i.e. all the vitamins from this group.

Pantothenic acid, cholin and inositol vitamins from Vitamin B complex are required for important bodily functions. But they are ample in the diet. So their deficiency and symptoms are not seen.

3B 1.   Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

A.   Properties : It is soluble in water and is stable even in intense heat. However, it is destroyed in the presence of alkaline salts (Ksharas).

B.   What are the functions of Vitamin B1 ? : It helps in proper digestion and utilisation of carbohydrates and several amino acids. It is also useful for proper transmission of heart and nerve impulses.

C.   What are the sources of Vitamin B1 ? : Eggs, liver, meat, milk and sprouted cereals contain a greater proportion of Vitamin B1.

          Values of vitamins in micrograms per 100 grams

Food item (100 gm)	Vitamin ‘B1’ (microgram)	Food item (100 gm)	Vitamin ‘B1’ (microgram)
Cereals
Oat meal	973	Whole wheat	540
Yava (Barley)	450	Ragi	420
Parboiled rice	210	Wheat flour	120
Home pounded rice	270	Milled rice	90
Pulses
Mung (Green gram)	465	Udid (Black gram)	420
Masur dal (Lentil)	450	Tur dal (Red gram)	450
Dry peas	450	Bengal gram	300
Vegetables

Peas	360	Beetroot	210
Cauliflower	330	Carrot	180
Lettuce	270	Radish	180
Drumstick leaves	210	Cabbage	150
Methi (Fenugreek)	210	Turnip	120
Palak (Spinach)	210
Meat
Pork	540	Beef	150
Liver of animals	360	Skimmed milk	060
Mutton (Goat)	180	Milk	050

Fruits and nuts
Groundnuts	900	Grapes	120
Almond	240	Plums	120
Banana	150	Tomato	120

Apple

120

Dates

090

D.   Diseases due to Vitamin B1 deficiency : Vitamin B1 deficiency gives rise to a disease known as beriberi.

E.   Symptoms : It is characterised by loss of appetite, swelling, palpitations, easy fatigue, emotional instability, severe constipation, indigestion, abdominal distension, weakness of the muscles of the body, tingling sensation in the limbs due to involvement of the nerves and affliction of the brain, nerves and heart. When the brain and the nerves are predominantly involved, the disease is known as dry beriberi. If the heart is predominantly affected, it is known as wet beriberi.

In dry beriberi, the utilisation of glucose by the nervous tissue is affected and the patient suffers from loss of appetite, tingling sensation and numbness and weakness of the lower limbs and loss of balance.

In wet beriberi, the heart is mainly affected and the patient suffers from swelling of the body, palpitations and breathlessness.

F.   Treatment : Give Vitamin B1 10 to 50 mg daily till symptoms vanish and then 1mg daily for 2 months.