Types and Importance of Vitamins in the Human Body We all know the importance that vitamins and minerals provide into our body, and that they’re the most necessary supplements that should be incorporated into our daily lives. All natural multi vitamins and minerals are essential for men, women, kids, athletes, senior citizens, and bodybuilders; hence should form an integral part in our lives. People who take well-balanced diets are never lacking in their daily portions of minerals and vitamins, although when derived from food, sometimes one will still not get the necessary amount that the body requires. For the human body to grow naturally and normally, it requires enough supply of substances such as vitamins. The body needs approximately 13 types of vitamins to function as normal i.e. vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-6, B-12, pantothenic acid, thiamine, biotin, folate, and Riboflavin. Note that all the aforementioned vitamins are available in a well-balanced diet that you consume daily. However, what happens to a vegetarian person who still needs an equal supply of vitamins? The best bet should be to take B12 supplements. Each of the aforementioned types of vitamins have a specific function in the body, hence taking a balanced intake on a daily basis should be your priority. When the body is low on some levels of certain types of vitamins, you’ll without a doubt develop symptoms of a vitamin deficiency disease. Taking enough vitamins is known to prevent and curb medical situations, like the intake of Vitamin A helps prevent symptoms of night blindness. Taking a balanced diet is the surest way to have the right amount of vitamins, but some people such as athletes would need to augment their daily supply with multivitamin supplements. Note however that high intake of some types of multi vitamin may be detrimental to your health. Vitamins B found in green vegetables supplements the body with energy and protein, Vitamin C found in Milk fortifies the bones, C found in Oranges helps quick healing of wounds, and Vitamins A in Carrots help make your vision clear at night. Vitamins are further classified into two – fat soluble and water soluble where the former are stored in the body’s fat tissues in the liver and the latter aren’t stored in the body but rather travel in the bloodstream, whereby excess of the water soluble vitamins are excreted through urination. Fat soluble vitamins are known to stay dormant in the body until they are needed and examples include Vitamins K, E, D, and A. Examples of water soluble vitamins include Vitamins C and many types of B such as B1 (Thiamin), B6 (Pyridoxine), B2 (Riboflavin), B12 (cobalmine), folic acid, biotin, and panthothenic acid. Note that because they’re excreted, they need to be restored more often in order for the body to function normally. Both water soluble and fat soluble vitamins are vital for the normal functioning of the body, hence one should be very cautious and always observe aalanced diet at all times because a lack of it or part of it can be disastrous.
November 28, 2009 by Janice
Filed under Health and Nutrition
Types and Importance of Vitamins in the Human Body
We all know the importance that vitamins and minerals provide into our body, and that they’re the most necessary supplements that should be incorporated into our daily lives. All natural multi vitamins and minerals are essential for men, women, kids, athletes, senior citizens, and bodybuilders; hence should form an integral part in our lives. People who take well-balanced diets are never lacking in their daily portions of minerals and vitamins, although when derived from food, sometimes one will still not get the necessary amount that the body requires.
For the human body to grow naturally and normally, it requires enough supply of substances such as vitamins. The body needs approximately 13 types of vitamins to function as normal i.e. vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-6, B-12, pantothenic acid, thiamine, biotin, folate, and Riboflavin. Note that all the aforementioned vitamins are available in a well-balanced diet that you consume daily. However, what happens to a vegetarian person who still needs an equal supply of vitamins? The best bet should be to take B12 supplements.
Each of the aforementioned types of vitamins have a specific function in the body, hence taking a balanced intake on a daily basis should be your priority. When the body is low on some levels of certain types of vitamins, you’ll without a doubt develop symptoms of a vitamin deficiency disease. Taking enough vitamins is known to prevent and curb medical situations, like the intake of Vitamin A helps prevent symptoms of night blindness.
Taking a balanced diet is the surest way to have the right amount of vitamins, but some people such as athletes would need to augment their daily supply with multivitamin supplements. Note however that high intake of some types of multi vitamin may be detrimental to your health. Vitamins B found in green vegetables supplements the body with energy and protein, Vitamin C found in Milk fortifies the bones, C found in Oranges helps quick healing of wounds, and Vitamins A in Carrots help make your vision clear at night.
Vitamins are further classified into two – fat soluble and water soluble where the former are stored in the body’s fat tissues in the liver and the latter aren’t stored in the body but rather travel in the bloodstream, whereby excess of the water soluble vitamins are excreted through urination. Fat soluble vitamins are known to stay dormant in the body until they are needed and examples include Vitamins K, E, D, and A.
Examples of water soluble vitamins include Vitamins C and many types of B such as B1 (Thiamin), B6 (Pyridoxine), B2 (Riboflavin), B12 (cobalmine), folic acid, biotin, and panthothenic acid. Note that because they’re excreted, they need to be restored more often in order for the body to function normally. Both water soluble and fat soluble vitamins are vital for the normal functioning of the body, hence one should be very cautious and always observe a well-balanced diet at all times because a lack of it or part of it can be disastrous.

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