Vitamins : Vitamin Essentials

Article by Linda Polansky

Vitamin A, also know as retinol, occurs organically only in animals. Eggs, liver and milk supply much vitamin A. It helps maintain the skin, eyes, urinary tract ad lining of the nervous system as well as respiratory and digestive systems. It is especially need for healthy bones and teeth.

There are currently 3 vitamins. Five of these vitamins are produced in the body itself. These include biotin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin D and vitamin K. The others must be supplied in our daily diet. The 13 vitamins are vitamins A, B-Complex, C, D, E and K. Vitamin B-complex is generally a group of 8 vitamins. Scientists divide the vitamins into two basic groups: fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.

The fat-soluble vitamins – Vitamins A, D, E and K – dissolve food amounts in fats. The water-soluble vitamins – the 8 complex vitamins and vitamin C- dissolve in body water.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is also known as antiscorbutic vitamin due to the fact that it prevents and cures scurvy. Although the body stores plenty of vitamin C, it is best to include this vitamin in our daily diet. It is essential for sound bones and strong teeth. It is also need for tissue metabolism and healing of wounds.

The food sources consist of cantaloupe, citrus fruits, raw cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries. People lack vitamin C may suffer from sore gums and bleeding under the skin.

Vitamin D on the other hand manages to prevent rickets. Either an excess or deficiency of this vitamin can crucially damage the bones. There are two major forms of vitamin D: Calceferol or vitamin D2 is produced in plants, as it is produced from a sterol, chemical compound, when a plant is exposed to ultraviolet light. Cholecalciferol is known as the sunshine vitamin. Fish liver oils contain plenty of vitamin D3. Eggs fish liver oils, tuna salmon, fortified milk as well as other animal food products.

Vitamin E, helps prevent polunsaturated fatty acids from oxidizing. It plays a significant role in maintaining cell membranes, which consists of substantial portions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Good sources of vitamin E include olives, margarine and vegetable oils, but almost all foods. A lack of vitamin E occurs rarely and produces very little symptoms.

Vitamin K is very significant for normal blood clotting. Leafy cauliflower and vegetables, such as kale, spinach and cabbage, are rich in vitamin k. An intestinal bacterium generates vitamin k in the body, so deficiencies are far and few. Obstetricians sometimes give women vitamin K before childbirth to prevent bleeding in the newborn child.

Vitamins generally function as catalysts in the body, to help accelerate certain chemical reactions.