The Vitamins

Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health

5th Edition - December 15, 2016
Authors: Gerald F. Combs Jr., James P. McClung
Language: English
Hardback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 0 2 9 6 5 - 7
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 0 2 9 8 3 - 1

The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health, Fifth Edition, provides the latest coverage of the biochemistry and physiology of vitamins and vitamin-like substance… Read more

Purchase options

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Innovate. Sustain. Transform.

Save up to 30% on top Physical Sciences & Engineering titles!

Explore now

Physical science & engineering for sustainable development book covers

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Request a sales quote

The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health, Fifth Edition, provides the latest coverage of the biochemistry and physiology of vitamins and vitamin-like substances. Health-related themes present insights into the use of vitamins, not only for general nutritional balance, but also as a factor in the prevention and/or treatment of specific health issues, such as overall immunity, inflammatory diseases, obesity, and anemia.

Readers will gain an understanding of the roles vitamins play in gene expression and epigenetics, providing important information on the further development of personalized medical treatments that will also allow them to establish appropriate dietary programs based on individual genetic profiles.

This cohesive, well-organized presentation of each vitamin includes key words, case studies, and coverage of the metabolic functions of appropriate vitamins. The readability of this complex content is highly regarded by students, instructors, researchers, and professionals alike.

Dedication
Preface to the Fifth Edition
How to Use This Book
Part I. Perspectives on the Vitamins in Nutrition
- Chapter 1. What Is a Vitamin?
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Thinking About Vitamins
  - 2. Vitamin: A Revolutionary Concept
  - 3. An Operating Definition of a Vitamin
  - 4. The Recognized Vitamins
  - 5. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 2. Discovery of the Vitamins
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Emergence of Nutrition as a Science
  - 2. The Process of Discovery in Nutritional Science
  - 3. The Empirical Phase of Vitamin Discovery
  - 4. The Experimental Phase of Vitamin Discovery
  - 5. The Vitamine Theory
  - 6. Elucidation of the Vitamins
  - 7. Vitamin Terminology
  - 8. Other Factors Sometimes Called Vitamins
  - 9. Modern History of the Vitamins
  - 10. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 3. General Properties of Vitamins
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Vitamin Nomenclature
  - 2. Chemical and Physical Properties of the Vitamins
  - 3. Physiological Utilization of the Vitamins
  - 4. Metabolism of the Vitamins
  - 5. Metabolic Functions of the Vitamins
  - 6. Vitamin Bioavailability
  - 7. Vitamin Analysis
  - 8. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 4. Vitamin Deficiency
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Concept of Vitamin Deficiency
  - 2. Clinical Manifestations of Vitamin Deficiencies
  - 3. Causes of Vitamin Deficiencies
  - 4. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 5. Vitamin Needs and Safety
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Dietary Standards for Vitamins
  - 2. Vitamin Allowances for Humans
  - 3. Vitamin Allowances for Animals
  - 4. Uses of Vitamins Above Required Levels
  - 5. Hypervitaminoses
  - 6. Safe Intakes of Vitamins
  - 7. Study Questions and Exercises
Part II. Considering the Individual Vitamins
- Chapter 6. Vitamin A
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Significance of Vitamin A
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin A
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin A
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin A
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin A
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin A
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin A
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin A Status
  - 9. Vitamin A Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin A in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin A Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 7. Vitamin D
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Significance of Vitamin D
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin D
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin D
  - 4. Enteric Absorption of Vitamin D
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin D
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin D
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin D
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin D Status
  - 9. Vitamin D Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin D in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin D Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 8. Vitamin E
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Significance of Vitamin E
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin E
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin E
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin E
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin E
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin E
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin E
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin E Status
  - 9. Vitamin E Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin E in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin E Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 9. Vitamin K
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Vitamin K
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin K
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin K
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin K
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin K
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin K
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin K
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin K Status
  - 9. Vitamin K Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin K Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin K Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 10. Vitamin C
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Vitamin C
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin C
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin C
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin C
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin C
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin C
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin C
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin C Status
  - 9. Vitamin C Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin C in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin C Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 11. Thiamin
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Thiamin
  - 2. Properties of Thiamin
  - 3. Sources of Thiamin
  - 4. Absorption of Thiamin
  - 5. Transport of Thiamin
  - 6. Metabolism of Thiamin
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Thiamin
  - 8. Biomarkers of Thiamin Status
  - 9. Thiamin Deficiency
  - 10. Role of Thiamin in Health and Disease
  - 11. Thiamin Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 12. Riboflavin
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Riboflavin
  - 2. Properties of Riboflavin
  - 3. Sources of Riboflavin
  - 4. Absorption of Riboflavin
  - 5. Transport of Riboflavin
  - 6. Metabolism of Riboflavin
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Riboflavin
  - 8. Biomarkers of Riboflavin Status
  - 9. Riboflavin Deficiency
  - 10. Riboflavin in Health and Disease
  - 11. Riboflavin Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 13. Niacin
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Niacin
  - 2. Properties of Niacin
  - 3. Sources of Niacin
  - 4. Absorption of Niacin
  - 5. Transport of Niacin
  - 6. Metabolism of Niacin
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Niacin
  - 8. Biomarkers of Niacin Status
  - 9. Niacin Deficiency
  - 10. Niacin in Health and Disease
  - 11. Niacin Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 14. Vitamin B₆
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Vitamin B₆
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin B₆
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin B₆
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin B₆
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin B₆
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin B₆
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin B₆
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin B₆ Status
  - 9. Vitamin B₆ Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin B₆ in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin B₆ Toxicity
  - 12. Case Studies
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 15. Biotin
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Biotin
  - 2. Properties of Biotin
  - 3. Sources of Biotin
  - 4. Absorption of Biotin
  - 5. Transport of Biotin
  - 6. Metabolism of Biotin
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Biotin
  - 8. Biomarkers of Biotin Status
  - 9. Biotin Deficiency
  - 10. Biotin in Health and Disease
  - 11. Biotin Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 16. Pantothenic Acid
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Pantothenic Acid
  - 2. Properties of Pantothenic Acid
  - 3. Sources of Pantothenic Acid
  - 4. Absorption of Pantothenic Acid
  - 5. Transport of Pantothenic Acid
  - 6. Metabolism of Pantothenic Acid
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Pantothenic Acid
  - 8. Biomarkers of Pantothenic Acid Status
  - 9. Pantothenic Acid Deficiency
  - 10. Pantothenic Acid in Health and Disease
  - 11. Pantothenic Acid Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 17. Folate
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. The Significance of Folate
  - 2. Properties of Folate
  - 3. Sources of Folate
  - 4. Absorption of Folate
  - 5. Transport of Folate
  - 6. Metabolism of Folate
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Folate
  - 8. Biomarkers of Folate Status
  - 9. Folate Deficiency
  - 10. Folate in Health and Disease
  - 11. Folate Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 18. Vitamin B₁₂
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Significance of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 2. Properties of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 3. Sources of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 4. Absorption of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 5. Transport of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 6. Metabolism of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 7. Metabolic Functions of Vitamin B₁₂
  - 8. Biomarkers of Vitamin B₁₂ Status
  - 9. Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency
  - 10. Vitamin B₁₂ in Health and Disease
  - 11. Vitamin B₁₂ Toxicity
  - 12. Case Study
  - 13. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 19. Vitamin-Like Factors
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Is the List of Vitamins Complete?
  - 2. Choline
  - 3. Carnitine
  - 4. Myo-Inositol
  - 5. Ubiquinones
  - 6. Lipoic Acid
  - 7. Nonprovitamin A Carotenoids
  - 8. Flavonoids
  - 9. Orotic Acid
  - 10. Unidentified Factors
  - 11. Case Study
  - 12. Study Questions and Exercises
Part III. Using Current Knowledge of the Vitamins
- Chapter 20. Sources of the Vitamins
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Vitamins in Foods and Feedstuffs
  - 2. Vitamin Bioavailability
  - 3. Vitamin Losses in Foods
  - 4. Vitamin Fortification
  - 5. Biofortification
  - 6. Vitamin Labeling of Foods
  - 7. Vitamins in Human Diets
  - 8. Vitamin Supplementation
  - 9. Vitamins in Livestock Feeding
  - 10. Case Study
  - 11. Study Questions and Exercises
- Chapter 21. Assessing Vitamin Status
  - Learning Objectives
  - Vocabulary
  - 1. Nutritional Assessment
  - 2. Biomarkers of Vitamin Status
  - 3. Vitamin Status of Human Populations
  - 4. Global Undernutrition
  - 5. Study Questions and Exercises
Appendix A. Current and Obsolete Designations of Vitamins (Bolded) and Other Vitamin-Like Factors
Appendix B. Original Reports for Case Studies
Appendix C. A Core of Current Vitamin Literature
Appendix D. Vitamin Contents of Foods (units per 100g Edible Portion)
Appendix E. Vitamin Contents of Feedstuffs (units per kg)
Index

Gerald F. Combs Jr.

Gerald F. Combs, Jr. is an internationally recognized leader in nutrition, particularly in the areas of micronutrient functions, diet and cancer prevention, and sustainable food systems. He has conducted research ranging from fundamental studies with cultured cells and animal models to human metabolic and clinical investigations, including studies in China, Bangladesh, Costa Rica and Malawi. He has lectured in some 30 countries and published more than 350 scientific papers and reviews, and 15 books, including six editions of The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. He received his graduate training in nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University, where he later served on that faculty for 29 years before being named Director of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks ND from 2020-2015. He was is a Senior Scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, 2015-2022. He presently is Professor Emeritus, Div. Nutritional Sciences, at Cornell University.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Nutrition Emeritus, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

James P. McClung

James P. McClung completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of New Hampshire, and his doctoral degree at Cornell University. He completed a National Research Council post-doctoral fellowship prior to assuming a career in Nutrition Science with the Department of Defense. Dr. McClung’s research has focused on micronutrient nutrition at both the basic and applied levels and has led to the fielding of applied solutions for the optimization of human health and performance. He is an active member of a number of professional societies, including the American Society for Nutrition. He has authored or co-authored over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and book chapters, and has served on the editorial boards of a number of leading international nutrition journals. Dr. McClung has co-authored the two most recent editions of The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health.

Affiliations and expertise

Nutritional biochemist, Westborough, Massachusetts, USA

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health