Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy. They can’t be made from other nutrients, and your body can’t store them for later use. As a result, you need to get vitamins from the foods you eat on a daily basis. Vitamins serve as catalysts for many metabolic reactions in the body. Some vitamins are antioxidants, reducing the risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin deficiencies are common, especially among teens and young adults who may not eat as well as older adults who may have trouble digesting and absorbing food because of medical conditions or medications they take. Read on to learn more about vitamins and their benefits..
What Are The Different Types Of Vitamins?
There are 13 vitamins that are essential for health. There are also 8 minerals that are essential for health. These will be discussed in the sections below. Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for health and growth. They can’t be made from other nutrients, and your body can’t store them for later use. As a result, you need to get vitamins from the foods you eat on a daily basis. There are two broad categories of vitamins: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. – Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and are excreted in urine, so the body needs to be replenished daily. They include B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E. – Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body and can last for several months before being excreted from the body. They include vitamins A, D, E, K, and carotenoids.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for eye health since it supports the retina. It is also essential for a strong immune system and cell growth. Vitamin A is found in leafy greens, eggs, and dairy products. Since vitamin A can increase the risk of lung cancer when taken in excess, those who take the supplement should be aware of the risks. – Vitamin A Deficiency A vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, muscle weakness, and joint pain. Since vitamin A is needed for healthy teeth, a deficiency can cause an increase in cavities. – Vitamin A Toxicity Excess vitamin A is toxic to the liver. High amounts of vitamin A over time can also cause bone abnormalities. If you take vitamin A supplements, you should only take them for short periods of time.
Vitamin B
Vitamins are essential for life, but their exact role is not clear. Vitamins are organic compounds that cannot be made by the body, and so must be obtained from food. Vitamins are essential for life, but their exact role is not clear. Vitamins are organic compounds that cannot be made by the body, and so must be obtained from food. Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is important for the body’s energy metabolism. Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, helps convert food into energy. While B3, also called niacin, is important in metabolizing food and is also helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. B5, also called pantothenic acid, is needed to metabolize food and is also good for skin health. Vitamin B6 works to break down proteins in the body and is important for the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B9 or folic acid is essential in the formation of red blood cells and is needed for pregnant women. Vitamin B12 is needed for the formation of red blood cells and also helps in forming DNA.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in all types of fruits and vegetables. It supports the immune system and is helpful in wound healing. It is also helpful in preventing and treating scurvy, which is a deficiency caused by not getting enough vitamin C. Vitamin C can be taken as an oral supplement, by IV, or with a vitamin shot. There is no difference between the three methods. Vitamin C is water-soluble and will be excreted from the body quickly, so it needs to be taken daily.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports bone health and the immune system. It is mostly found in fish, eggs, and dairy products. It can also be obtained from the sun but only for a short period of time. People who don’t consume foods that contain vitamin D can take it as a supplement and those who are mostly indoors can also take a supplement. You should have your blood levels of vitamin D tested and get a supplement only if your levels are low.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is an antioxidant. It helps the body fight diseases and is present in many foods such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. Vitamin E is helpful in protecting the body against heart disease and can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. Vitamin E is found in many foods and is also available in supplement form.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important in blood clotting and bone health. It is found in leafy green vegetables, liver, and egg yolks. There is no supplement for vitamin K. It is found in many foods and can be easily obtained from the diet.
Minerals And Their Importance
– Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth. It is found in dairy products such as milk and cheese.
– Iron is important for the formation of red blood cells. It is found in red meat, beans, whole grains, and iron-fortified cereals. Iron supplements are also available for those who don’t eat enough of these foods.
– Magnesium is good for the heart and is found in whole grains, almonds, and bananas. – Zinc is important for the immune system and is found in beans, peas, and many types of nuts.
– Potassium is needed for strong muscles and is found in bananas, sweet potatoes, and avocados. – Selenium is helpful in preventing most types of cancers and is found in Brazil nuts and fish.
– Vitamin C is needed for healthy bones, muscles, and blood vessels. It can be found in many fruits such as oranges, kiwis, and strawberries.
– Vitamin D is important for strong bones and is found in fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.
– Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is helpful in preventing diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It can be found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
– Vitamin K is important in blood clotting and is found in leafy green vegetables.
– Zinc is helpful in the immune system and is found in many types of beans.
– Selenium is helpful in preventing most types of cancers and is found in Brazil nuts and fish.
– Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth.
– Iron is important for the formation of red blood cells.
– Magnesium is good for the heart and is found in whole grains, almonds, and bananas. – Potassium is needed for strong muscles and is found in bananas, sweet potatoes, and avocados.
– Vitamin C is needed for healthy bones, muscles, and blood vessels.
– Vitamin D is important for strong bones and – Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is helpful in preventing diseases such as heart disease and cancer
– Vitamin K is important in blood clotting
– Zinc is helpful in the immune system – Selenium is helpful in preventing most types of cancers – Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth
– Iron is important for the formation of red blood cells – Magnesium is good for the heart – Potassium is needed for strong muscles
– Vitamin C is needed for healthy bones, muscles, and blood vessels
– Vitamin D is important for strong bones
– Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is helpful in preventing diseases such as heart disease and cancer – Vitamin K is important in blood clotting
– Zinc is helpful in the immune system – Selenium is helpful in preventing most types of cancers
Conclusion
Vitamins are essential dietary compounds that cannot be synthesized by the body and are needed for normal growth and development. They are classified according to their solubility in water or fat. Vitamins are necessary for normal growth, development and health. Some vitamins are fat
