Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and
animals and are considered essential nutrients for human beings. The
name vitamin is obtained from "vital amines" as these substances were
all amines. The body needs vitamins to stay healthy. Vitamins do not provide energy directly, but they help regulate energy-producing processes. There are 13 essential vitamins
and each one has a special role to play within the body, helping to
regulate the processes such as cell growth and repair, reproduction and
digestion.
Types of Vitamins
Vitamins can be broadly classified into two main categories i.e. water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.
Water-soluble vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body. You need to get them from food every day. They are destroyed by overcooking. These are easily absorbed by the body. B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day. These vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation.
Nine of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the B-complex group: Thiamin (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid and Vitamin C.
Fat-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. They are soluble in fat and are absorbed by the body from the intestinal tract. The human body has to use bile acids to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Once these vitamins are absorbed, the body stores them in body fat. When needed, the body takes them out of storage. Fat soluble vitamins should not be taken in excess as they result in side effects.
Characteristics of the vitamins
• Most of the vitamins are artificially synthesized.
• Some of vitamins are soluble in water and others are fat-soluble.
• Some vitamins are synthesized in the body while some are synthesized by microorganisms in the intestinal tract.
• Vitamins are partly destroyed and are partly excreted.
• Vitamins can be stored in the body to some extent, for example the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and subcutaneous tissue.
Need of Vitamins
• Vitamin A is a vitamin for growth and body repair. It is very vital in the formation of bone and tissues and also keeps the skin smooth and is a cure for night blindness also.
• Vitamin B1 is an energy building vitamin that helps to digest carbohydrates. It also keeps the heart and muscles stable.
• Vitamin C protects bones, teeth and gums. It is the best medicine for curing scurvy and also resists any infection to grow in the body.
• Vitamin D is very essential for children. Rickets, a disease is actually caused by the deficiency of Vitamin D. Direct sunlight is a natural source of vitamins apart from spinach and vegetables. In adults, Osteoporosis is caused due to lack of Vitamin D.
• Vitamin E is a wound treating vitamin. It is essential to prevent sterility and to break up blood clots.
• Vitamin B6 is essential for production of antibodies.
• Vitamin B12 is required for carbohydrate and fat metabolism for children's growth.
• Vitamin B2 and Folic Acid help in the formation of red blood cells.
Types of Vitamins
Vitamins can be broadly classified into two main categories i.e. water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.
Water-soluble vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body. You need to get them from food every day. They are destroyed by overcooking. These are easily absorbed by the body. B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day. These vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation.
Nine of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the B-complex group: Thiamin (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid and Vitamin C.
Fat-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. They are soluble in fat and are absorbed by the body from the intestinal tract. The human body has to use bile acids to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Once these vitamins are absorbed, the body stores them in body fat. When needed, the body takes them out of storage. Fat soluble vitamins should not be taken in excess as they result in side effects.
Characteristics of the vitamins
• Most of the vitamins are artificially synthesized.
• Some of vitamins are soluble in water and others are fat-soluble.
• Some vitamins are synthesized in the body while some are synthesized by microorganisms in the intestinal tract.
• Vitamins are partly destroyed and are partly excreted.
• Vitamins can be stored in the body to some extent, for example the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and subcutaneous tissue.
Need of Vitamins
• Vitamin A is a vitamin for growth and body repair. It is very vital in the formation of bone and tissues and also keeps the skin smooth and is a cure for night blindness also.
• Vitamin B1 is an energy building vitamin that helps to digest carbohydrates. It also keeps the heart and muscles stable.
• Vitamin C protects bones, teeth and gums. It is the best medicine for curing scurvy and also resists any infection to grow in the body.
• Vitamin D is very essential for children. Rickets, a disease is actually caused by the deficiency of Vitamin D. Direct sunlight is a natural source of vitamins apart from spinach and vegetables. In adults, Osteoporosis is caused due to lack of Vitamin D.
• Vitamin E is a wound treating vitamin. It is essential to prevent sterility and to break up blood clots.
• Vitamin B6 is essential for production of antibodies.
• Vitamin B12 is required for carbohydrate and fat metabolism for children's growth.
• Vitamin B2 and Folic Acid help in the formation of red blood cells.
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