Vitamins are one of the nutrients required by the body and can be obtained in food.
Even though they are only required in small amounts, they play an important role in the body, such as helping form strong bones, faster healing, and a stronger immune system.
The term "vitamin" was developed from the phrase "vital amines," which implies compounds required for living.
Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K are the six vitamins that were discovered between 1900 and 1950.
The metabolic balance is disrupted when these vitamins are not present in our bodies.
Vitamin deficiency can increase the risk of developing conditions like night blindness, beriberi, rickets etc.
Vitamins are divided into two categories - Fat-soluble vitamins and Water-soluble vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins, as implied, need fat to get absorbed, and they get stored in the body's fat tissue and liver. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins.
The fats that we consume play a prominent role in guiding the body to absorb fat- soluble vitamins.
On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins don't stay for too long in the body. They get flushed out through urine. That's why they need to be frequently replaced.
Vitamin C and all the variants of Vitamin B come under water-soluble vitamins.
Vitamins can be found in a variety of foods, including:
a) Vitamin A - Whole milk, butter and egg yolk
b) Provitamin carotene - Yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables
c) Vitamin D - Sunlight, cod liver oil, fortified Vanaspati
d) Vitamin E - Vegetable oils, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables
e) Vitamin K - Green leafy vegetables, liver, cheese, egg yolk
Vitamin A is vital for the growth and development of the body
It plays an important role in cell recognition, improving vision, immune function and reproductive function
Vitamin A contains compounds like retinol, retinal and retinoic acid
Forms of Vitamin A - Preformed vitamin A, Provitamin A /Beta-carotene, Retinol
Functions Of Vitamin A
Boosts immunity
Cell Growth
Aids in Reproductive Process
Skin Health
Helps in developing body tissues
Functions Of Vitamin A
Boosts immunity
Cell Growth
Aids in Reproductive Process
Skin Health
Helps in developing body tissues
Dietary Sources of Vitamin A
Cod Liver Oil
Butter
Hard-Boiled eggs
Cheddar Cheese
Sweet potato
Spinach
Carrots
Mango
Apricot
The body does not produce vitamin D; it must be received naturally. It can be obtained from sunlight, fortified foods, or vitamin D supplements.
It acts as a steroid hormone.
Ultraviolet B rays connect with the cholesterol present in our bodies to build components of Vitamin D.
Body fetches essential compounds required to derive vitamin D from food.
Production of Vitamin D begins with the skin
Ultraviolet light converts a component of cholesterol into pre-vitamin D3.
Once it enters the body, it gets converted to Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D is also known as calciferol.
There are mainly two forms of vitamin D - Vitamin D-3, Vitamin D-2
