Vitamins are organic compounds essential to the normal development and growth of higher forms of animal life, yet are unable to be produced by animals themselves in sufficient amounts – thus must be consumed through diet.
Scientists first came upon vitamins in the late 19th century when laboratory chickens fed polished white rice developed polyneuritis. When given unpolished white rice instead, this condition cleared up.
Vitamins are a group of nutrients
Vitamins are organic compounds required by the body for various metabolic processes and considered essential nutrients, since they cannot be synthesized within it and must instead be consumed through food or supplement sources.
Vitamins have many functions within your body, from protecting against infections to aiding bone development and blood clotting. Furthermore, vitamins help convert food into energy while protecting cells from damage. You can ensure you’re getting enough by following Dietary Guidelines and eating a range of food sources.
Vitamins are generally divided into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are excreted via urine, while fat-soluble ones are stored in liver tissue and fat cells for later use. All eight B vitamins, folic acid, and vitamin C fall under this category; others such as laetrile have chemical designations such as “folic acid.”
They are classified as macronutrients
While most are familiar with macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, most don’t know much about vitamins. Vitamin supplements contain organic substances which support metabolic processes in small amounts within our bodies and can be found in foods like fruit, vegetables and grains.
Calcium and iron are important nutrients for building strong bones and absorbing other essential vitamins like Vitamin C. While micronutrients may be synthesized within the body, macronutrients must be regularly consumed to avoid deficiency symptoms; in fact they’re classified as macronutrients because their intake is essential to healthy living.
Vitamins can be divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble categories, with each category including several different kinds of vitamins. The following table presents their common and chemical names as well as functions and symptoms of deficiency for each vitamin in each group. Presently there are 13 recognized vitamins but until recently there were other letters-numbers (up to D7) listed for substances not considered vitamins by scientists; laetrile was once labeled B17 in this manner.
They are water-soluble
Vitamins are organic substances essential to human life in small quantities. Unable to be produced by the body itself, vitamins must be obtained through food sources in order to meet daily requirements. They differ from minerals in that vitamins cannot be replaced with other sources – rather, they serve as cofactors in biochemical reactions and can be found in fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, eggs and fortified grains and cereals.
Water-soluble vitamins do not remain in the body for too long and are excreted through urine, leading to deficiencies of folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid B6 and B12 vitamins that are commonly deficient. They help release energy while building proteins, cells and collagen within our bodies.
Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the liver and fat tissues for later use and eventually eliminated through the bowels. They include vitamins A, D, E and K as well as the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, niacin and vitamin C).
They are fat-soluble
Vitamins are organic substances your body requires for survival, from helping boost immune function to strengthening bones. You can find vitamins in many food items or take supplement forms; before making this decision, be sure to speak to your physician first; some medical conditions and medications could impact their effects.
Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins which are ingested through your diet along with fats. Once stored in liver or fatty tissues they’re essential for vision, bone formation, immunity and blood clotting processes – among many other functions.
Water-soluble vitamins enter the bloodstream and are quickly utilized, without being stored by your body. Common water-soluble vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid pyridoxine folate/folic acid cobalamin which are found in fruits vegetables meat and other sources.
