What Circumstances Can Water Soluble Vitamins Be Toxic

1. Under what circumstances can water-soluble vitamins be toxic? Cite several examples. Similar to carbohydrates and proteins, vitamins are hydrophilic or water soluble, and hydrophobic or non-water soluble similar to lipids. Water soluble vitamins include the b vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and B12) and vitamin C. Hydrophobic, fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water soluble vitamins are found in the watery compartments of food and once absorbed, move directly into the blood where they travel freely. Once water soluble vitamins reach the cells, they circulate freely in the water filled compartments of the cell. The kidneys monitor the blood detecting and removing small†¦show more content†¦303). Niacin is a B vitamin formed by the coenzymes NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (the phosphate form of NAD), participate in numerous metabolic reactions, especially the metabolism of glucose, fat, and alcohol. Niacin in normal doses provided by foods, provides normal blood concentration suggesting the nutrient is having a normal physiological effect. However, large doses of niacin caused by supplementation, overwhelms the body and raises blood concentrations to abnormally high levels, the nutrient acts like a drug causing a pharmacological effect. The result of large doses nicotinic acid from supplements or drugs creates a niacin flush or temporary burning, tingling, inching sensation often accompanied by headache and reddened face, arms, and chest. Additionally, individuals with liver disease, diabetes, peptic ulcers, gout, irregular heartbeat, inflammatory bowel disease, migraine headaches, and alcoholism may be particularly susceptible to niacin toxicity (Whitney Rolfes, 2016, p. 309-311). Vitamin B6 consists of three compounds; pyridoxal, pyridoxine, and pyroxamine, the primary active coenzyme form of PLP pyridoxal phosphate. PLP is active in more than 100 reactions, including carbohydrate, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism. Additionally, PLP can transfer amino groups from an amino acid to a keto acid assisting the body in making nonessential amino acids. Vitamin