Abstract
The vitamin B-complex group and vitamin C are the so-called water-soluble vitamins, which dissolve in water and are not stored by the body (IOM (Institute of Medicine) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes 1998). As they are eliminated in urine, a continuous daily supply in the diet is required. Eight of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the vitamin B-complex group: folate (folic acid), thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid. B vitamins fall into two categories. They are involved in the reactions of intermediary metabolism related to energy production and redox status, or they are involved in the transfer of single-carbon units (IOM (Institute of Medicine) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes 1998). Moreover, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and it is essential for humans, as we do not have the ability to biosynthesize the compound from glucose due to the lack of gulonolactone oxidase. Vitamin C functions physiologically as a water-soluble antioxidant. It is a matter of concern that water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation. Despite the presence of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet, nutrient loss is possible during the storage and processing of food. This is also of concern for spaceflight and especially for long-term spaceflight. The space radiation environment is another critical factor that must be controlled for an adequate intake of water-soluble vitamins (Smith and Zwart 2008). Not all water-soluble vitamins are critical or of concern for crewmembers. In the following discussions, only the spaceflight-relevant water-soluble vitamins are pointed out.
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Heer, M., Titze, J., Smith, S.M., Baecker, N. (2015). Water-Soluble Vitamins. In: Nutrition Physiology and Metabolism in Spaceflight and Analog Studies. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18521-7_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18521-7_6
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