Vitaminlike nutrients

Vitamins are divided into water-soluble and lipid-soluble groups. In addition to vitamins, vitaminlike nutrients are required in small amounts by the organism and frequently function in similar capacities to vitamins. These vitaminlike compounds are not classified as vitamins because rats and humans have a limited capacity to synthesize them, provided that the diet contains the essential precursors. Table 10.1 lists both vitamins and vitaminlike nutrients. 

Vitaminlike Nutrients Inositol Mediator of hormone action (see chapters 13, 19, and 24). 

NUTRITIVE VALUES. Fruits are high in water content. However, most fruits are fair to excellent sources of calories (due to their sugars), fiber (poorly digested caibohydrate which stimulates movements of the digestive tract), various essential macrominerals and microminerals, vitamins, and vitaminlike factors. The nutrient composition of common fruits is given in Food Composition Table F-21. 

The nutritional status and biological role(s) of each of the vitaminlike substances require further clarification indeed, some of them are very controversial. In the meantime, the authors discuss each of them for two primary purposes (1) historical and informational, and (2) stimulation of research. Additionally, cognizance is taken of the fact that there is usually a considerable time lag between the scientific validation and the acceptance of a vitamin, essential nutrient, and/or medical treatment A list of the vitaminlike substances follows ... 

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