The missing vitamin alphabet

Abstract

Aim The aims of this paper were to catalogue a complete list of all the alphabetical names for vitamins that have appeared in the scientific literature, provide the citations of their first use and seek explanations for any apparent gaps in the naming system. Methods The names of known vitamins and pseudo-vitamins were identified from standard nutrition textbooks, historical monographs and several review articles. If the first citation for the alphabetical vitamin name was not found in these sources, additional searches were conducted in the Scopus and Medline databases, in Google and Google Scholar, using the names of vitamins as search terms. Results Sixty-seven different alphabet-based vitamin names were tabulated, including where possible the scientific and alternative names, a description of the source substance, physiological roles and the first citation of the alphabetical name. The results show that all the letters of the alphabet have been used to describe putative vitamin compounds. The simple alphabetical naming system proposed by Drummond in 1920 lasted for less than a decade. A number of other systems have been used based on the name of the discoverer, the source of the material or its physiological function. Conclusions Using simplified alphabetical names may assist in nutrition communication and education of the general public, but dietitians need to be careful to maintain a clear understanding of the proper biochemical distinctions and nomenclatures of the known vitamins, especially when writing for academic publication. Abstract AimsThe aims of this paper were to catalogue a complete list of all the alphabetical names for vitamins that have appeared in the scientific literature, provide the citations of their first use, and seek explanations for any apparent gaps in the naming system. MethodThe names of known vitamins and pseudo-vitamins were identified from standard nutrition textbooks, historical monographs, and several review articles. If the first citation for the alphabetical vitamin name was not found in these sources, additional searches were conducted in the Scopus and Medline databases, in Google and Google Scholar, using the names of vitamins as search terms. Results ConclusionsUsing simplified alphabetical names may assist in nutrition communication and education of the general public, but dietitians need to be careful to maintain a clear understanding of the proper biochemical distinctions and nomenclatures of the known vitamins, especially when writing for academic publication.

Advice and recipes for invalid and convalescent cookery in Australian cookbooks 1860–1950

“…Of course, nutrition knowledge was somewhat rudimentary during much of this time period. The isolation and purification of vitamins spanned the period from 1916 to 1950 and very little of the invalid cookery advice mentions nutrition specifically. It was not possible to assess the nutritional adequacy of the recipes and advice, because very few books contain menu plans, but given the wide range of recipes it should have been possible to provide well‐balanced meals using the recommended recipes.…”

Examining the relationship between food, diet and health

“…The papers provided in this issue of the journal enable the differences in studies to be appreciated, as well as the results they present to be considered. The final papers in the issue add to this variety, reporting on anthropometric assessment methodology and on the names of vitamins appearing in the literature. Other forms of research in practice will appear in future issues, but here the focus on foods has been useful in addressing key areas of important study designs in the evidence‐based framework.…”

“…names of vitamins 26 appearing in the literature. Other forms of research in practice will appear in future issues, but here the focus on foods has been useful in addressing key areas of important study designs in the evidence-based framework.…”