| Vitamins are merely organic compounds that the | | | | nervous system. This vitamin helps maintain |
| body uses for essential functions. There are two | | | | healthy skin and hair. Deficiency in this vitamin is |
| categories of vitamins: water-soluble and | | | | not well characterized in humans and no RDA |
| fat-soluble. The body requires nine water-soluble | | | | (recommended dietary allowance) has been |
| vitamins. Many of the water soluble vitamins are | | | | established. The body also requires four fat-soluble |
| precursors for coenzymes for the enzymes of | | | | vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed, |
| intermediary metabolism. Water-soluble vitamins | | | | released, and transported with the fat of the diet. |
| are not stored in the body. What is not used will | | | | Fat-soluble vitamins are not readily excreted in the |
| be excreted in the urine. | | | | urine. Because fat-soluble vitamins travel with fat, |
| Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential | | | | significant quantities of these vitamins are stored |
| for protein and red blood cell formation. Folic acid | | | | in adipose tissue (fat) and the liver. |
| is essential during pregnancy for healthy | | | | Vitamin A or retinol is an essential fat-soluble |
| development of baby's brains and nervous | | | | vitamin. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that protects |
| system. Deficiencies in folic acid during pregnancy | | | | the body from free radical damage. Vitamin A |
| lead to spina bifida and anencephaly. Proper | | | | also protects against many infections. Vitamin A is |
| vitamin supplementation before and during | | | | essential for vision at night. Those deficient in |
| pregnancy can prevent this. | | | | vitamin A suffer night blindness. Many who suffer |
| Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin is an | | | | from psoriasis and acne are effectively treated |
| essential water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 is | | | | with retinoic acid or a derivative. It is possible to |
| essential for DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also | | | | become toxic with fat-soluble vitamins because of |
| part of the red blood cell ring that carries oxygen. | | | | how the body stores these vitamins. Toxicity of |
| Pernicious anemia is a related to a vitamin B12 | | | | vitamin A leads to hypervitaminosis A. Symptoms |
| deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is rarely a | | | | of this disorder include dry, pruritic skin; cirrhotic, |
| result of the vitamin's absence in the diet. Many | | | | enlarged liver; and increased intracranial pressure. |
| who develop pernicious anemia lack intrinsic factor, | | | | Pregnant women should not take excess of |
| which binds to the vitamin for absorption | | | | vitamin A due to potential to cause congenital |
| purposes. | | | | malformations to the fetus. |
| Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is an | | | | Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. This |
| essential water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is | | | | vitamin has hormone like functions. This vitamin |
| required for the maintenance of normal | | | | helps to maintain strong and healthy bones by |
| connective tissue and the formation of collage. | | | | retaining calcium. This is why milk is usually |
| This vitamin can be found in skin care products. | | | | fortified with vitamin D for increased calcium |
| Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron in the | | | | absorption. The body also produces vitamin D in |
| diet. Vitamin C is an essential anti-oxidant (free | | | | the skin when exposed to sufficient sunlight. A |
| radical damage). Scurvy is a disease associated | | | | vitamin D deficiency causes a net demineralization |
| with vitamin C deficiency. | | | | of bone, results in the disorder rickets (children) |
| Vitamin B6 known as pyridoxine is also a | | | | and osteomalacia (adults). Other disorders such as |
| water-soluble vitamin. Pyridoxine is essential for | | | | renal rickets and hypoparathyroidism are seen |
| protein digestion and utilization. This vitamin is | | | | with a vitamin D deficiency. Like all fat-soluble |
| essential for brain function and hormone | | | | vitamins, vitamin D can be stored in the body and |
| production. | | | | is slow metabolized. So there is a risk for toxicity. |
| Vitamin B1 known as thiamine is a water-soluble | | | | Toxic levels can cause nausea, thirst, stupor, and |
| vitamin. Thiamine plays a key role in energy | | | | loss of appetite. Hypercalcemia can result from |
| metabolism of most cells (ATP), particularly the | | | | enhanced calcium absorption which can lead to |
| nervous system. Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff | | | | calcium deposits in many organs, especially the |
| syndrome are diseases caused by a severe | | | | kidneys and arteries. Vitamin K is an essential |
| thiamine deficiency. | | | | fat-soluble vitamin needed for proper clotting of |
| Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble | | | | the blood. Vitamin K is a byproduct created by |
| vitamin. Niacin functions as a precursor to NAD | | | | the normally harmless bacteria in the intestine |
| and NADP. Niacin is essential for energy | | | | (E.coli). A true deficiency is unusual because of |
| production, brain function, and healthy skin. A | | | | adequate amounts produced by the bacteria in |
| deficiency in niacin causes pellagra and type IIb | | | | the intestine and the diet. However, antibiotics can |
| hyperlipoproteinemia. Niacin also helps to lower | | | | destroy necessary flora in the intestine which can |
| LDL's in the blood. | | | | decrease vitamin K production. |
| Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin | | | | Hypoprothrombinemia is seen in a vitamin K |
| that assists in turning fats, sugars, and protein into | | | | deficiency. |
| energy. Riboflavin is needed to repair and maintain | | | | Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The |
| healthy skin. Riboflavin also assists in regulating | | | | primary function of vitamin E as an anti-oxidant is |
| bodily acidity. There are no diseases associated | | | | to prevent non-enzymatic oxidation of cell |
| with a riboflavin deficiency. However, riboflavin | | | | components by molecular oxygen and free |
| deficiencies commonly accompany other vitamin | | | | radicals. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood |
| deficiencies. | | | | clots, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is |
| Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is | | | | essential for healthy skin, fertility, and improves |
| needed for healthy childhood development. Biotin | | | | wound healing. Deficiencies of vitamin E have been |
| helps the body use essential fats. Biotin promotes | | | | seen with abnormal cellular membranes. No toxic |
| healthy skin, hair, and nerves. Biotin deficiency | | | | effects have been seen with this vitamin. |
| does not occur naturally because the vitamin is | | | | All essential vitamins are necessary for good |
| widely distributed in food. | | | | health. Understanding what vitamins are essential |
| Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 is essential for | | | | and how the essential vitamins benefit health is |
| energy production. Vitamin B5 also controls the | | | | only half the battle. Today many can buy vitamins |
| body's fat metabolism. This vitamin helps make | | | | online. Buying vitamins online might just be the |
| antistress hormones (steroids) during stressful | | | | answer to nutrition needs. |
| times. Pantothenic acid is essential for a healthy | | | | |