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Niacin, or vitamin B3, exists in 2 forms- nicotinic acid (niacin) and nicotin0amide (niacinamide). Both forms are used to synthesize the niacin coenzymes: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP﹢).
Niacin can be obtained from foods as the vitamin …
Most animals are able to synthesize vitamin C and so, do not require a dietary source. However, humans, other primates, guinea pigs, fruit bats, and a few birds and fish are unable to synthesize this water-soluble vitamin. They rely on their diets for a vitamin C source.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is involved in many processes in the human body, primarily as an electron donor. The term vitamin C actually refers not only to ascorbic acid but also to its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid. By adding or losing 2 hydrogens vitamin C undergoes reversible reduction and oxidetion. Both forms of vitamin C are found in the foods we eat.
Most fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C, but the richtest sources are citrus fruits, peppers, and green vegetables. Animal products and grains are generally not good sources. An intake of 5 serving per day of fruits and vegetables can provide ample vitamin C, depending on the foods chosen….
Vitamin A refers to the preformed retinoids and provitamin A carotenoids that can be converted to vitamin A activity. Retinoids is a collective term for the biologically active forms of vitamin A, and they exist in 3 forms: retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid.
Vitamin A is categorized as a fat-soluble vitamin. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fat. Thus, adequate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins depends on the efficient use of bile and pancreatic lipase in the small intestine to digest dietary fat. Under optimal conditions, about 40 ro 90% if the fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed when they’re consumed in recommended amounts….
