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Vitamins Overview
Vitamins are divided into two
classes based on their solubility. The the fat-soluble
vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and
vitamin K. The water-soluble vitamins are folate (folic
acid), vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin,
riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Fat-soluble vitamins contain
only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen while water-soluble
vitamins contain these three elements plus nitrogen and
some-times sulfur. Fat-soluble vitamins can be
stored in appreciable amounts in the body and the
water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body.
Functions
of Vitamins
Vitamins promote normal growth,
provide proper metabolism, ensure good health and protect
against certain diseases. Vitamin is required by the body in
small amounts for metabolism, to protect health, and for
proper growth in children. Vitamins assist in the formation
of hormones, blood cells, nervous-system chemicals, and
genetic material.
Vitamins mainly serve as catalysts for certain reactions in
the body. They combine with proteins to create metabolically
active enzymes that in turn produce hundreds of important
chemical reactions throughout the body. The fundamentals of
cells depend greatly upon vitamins. Vitamins are responsible for
keeping cells strong, binding tissues, fighting infections,
etc. Without vitamins our cells would not function properly
and thus our organs would suffer and eventually we would no
longer be able to survive.
Vitamins help regulate
metabolism, help convert fat and carbohydrates into energy,
and assist in forming bone and tissue.
Vitamin A plays an important role in vision, bone growth,
reproduction, cell division and differentiation. Vitamin B
complex improves the body's resistance to stress.
Aids in
digestion, promotes good muscle tone, healthy skin. Vitamin
B complex reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness
and helps regulate blood pressure. Vitamin C is responsible
for helping to build and maintain our tissues and
strengthening our immune system. Adequate amounts of vitamin
D is necessary for preventing bone loss. Vitamin E is the
most effective, fat-soluble antioxidant known to occur in
the human body. The main function of vitamin E is to
maintain the integrity of the body's intracellular membrane
by protecting its physical stability and providing a defense
line against tissue damage caused by oxidation. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting
and bone metabolism. |
