Copyright 2005 Kristy Haugen
Vitamins are merely organic compounds that the body uses
for essential functions. There are two categories of
vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The body requires
nine water-soluble vitamins. Many of the water soluble
vitamins are precursors for coenzymes for the enzymes of
intermediary metabolism. Water-soluble vitamins are not
stored in the body. What is not used will be excreted in
the urine.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for
protein and red blood cell formation. Folic acid is
essential during pregnancy for healthy development of
baby’s brains and nervous system. Deficiencies in folic
acid during pregnancy lead to spina bifida and anencephaly.
Proper vitamin supplementation before and during pregnancy
can prevent this.
Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA
synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also part of the red blood cell
ring that carries oxygen. Pernicious anemia is a related
to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is
rarely a result of the vitamin’s absence in the diet. Many
who develop pernicious anemia lack intrinsic factor, which
binds to the vitamin for absorption purposes.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is required for the
maintenance of normal connective tissue and the formation
of collage. This vitamin can be found in skin care
products. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron in
the diet. Vitamin C is an essential anti-oxidant (free
radical damage). Scurvy is a disease associated with
vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin B6 known as pyridoxine is also a water-soluble
vitamin. Pyridoxine is essential for protein digestion and
utilization. This vitamin is essential for brain function
and hormone production.
Vitamin B1 known as thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin.
Thiamine plays a key role in energy metabolism of most
cells (ATP), particularly the nervous system. Beriberi and
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are diseases caused by a severe
thiamine deficiency.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble vitamin.
Niacin functions as a precursor to NAD and NADP. Niacin is
essential for energy production, brain function, and
healthy skin. A deficiency in niacin causes pellagra and
type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia. Niacin also helps to lower
LDL’s in the blood.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin that
assists in turning fats, sugars, and protein into energy.
Riboflavin is needed to repair and maintain healthy skin.
Riboflavin also assists in regulating bodily acidity.
There are no diseases associated with a riboflavin
deficiency. However, riboflavin deficiencies commonly
accompany other vitamin deficiencies.
Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is needed
for healthy childhood development. Biotin helps the body
use essential fats. Biotin promotes healthy skin, hair,
and nerves. Biotin deficiency does not occur naturally
because the vitamin is widely distributed in food.
Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 is essential for energy
production. Vitamin B5 also controls the body’s fat
metabolism. This vitamin helps make antistress hormones
(steroids) during stressful times. Pantothenic acid is
essential for a healthy nervous system. This vitamin helps
maintain healthy skin and hair. Deficiency in this vitamin
is not well characterized in humans and no RDA (recommended
dietary allowance) has been established. The body also
requires four fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins
are absorbed, released, and transported with the fat of the
diet. Fat-soluble vitamins are not readily excreted in the
urine. Because fat-soluble vitamins travel with fat,
significant quantities of these vitamins are stored in
adipose tissue (fat) and the liver.
Vitamin A or retinol is an essential fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that protects the body from
free radical damage. Vitamin A also protects against many
infections. Vitamin A is essential for vision at night.
Those deficient in vitamin A suffer night blindness. Many
who suffer from psoriasis and acne are effectively treated
with retinoic acid or a derivative. It is possible to
become toxic with fat-soluble vitamins because of how the
body stores these vitamins. Toxicity of vitamin A leads to
hypervitaminosis A. Symptoms of this disorder include dry,
pruritic skin; cirrhotic, enlarged liver; and increased
intracranial pressure. Pregnant women should not take
excess of vitamin A due to potential to cause congenital
malformations to the fetus.
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. This
vitamin has hormone like functions. This vitamin helps to
maintain strong and healthy bones by retaining calcium.
This is why milk is usually fortified with vitamin D for
increased calcium absorption. The body also produces
vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sufficient sunlight.
A vitamin D deficiency causes a net demineralization of
bone, results in the disorder rickets (children) and
osteomalacia (adults). Other disorders such as renal
rickets and hypoparathyroidism are seen with a vitamin D
deficiency. Like all fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D can
be stored in the body and is slow metabolized. So there is
a risk for toxicity. Toxic levels can cause nausea,
thirst, stupor, and loss of appetite. Hypercalcemia can
result from enhanced calcium absorption which can lead to
calcium deposits in many organs, especially the kidneys and
arteries. Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin
needed for proper clotting of the blood. Vitamin K is a
byproduct created by the normally harmless bacteria in the
intestine (E.coli). A true deficiency is unusual because
of adequate amounts produced by the bacteria in the
intestine and the diet. However, antibiotics can destroy
necessary flora in the intestine which can decrease vitamin
K production. Hypoprothrombinemia is seen in a vitamin K
deficiency.
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The primary
function of vitamin E as an anti-oxidant is to prevent
non-enzymatic oxidation of cell components by molecular
oxygen and free radicals. Vitamin E also helps to prevent
blood clots, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is
essential for healthy skin, fertility, and improves wound
healing. Deficiencies of vitamin E have been seen with
abnormal cellular membranes. No toxic effects have been
seen with this vitamin.
All essential vitamins are necessary for good health.
Understanding what vitamins are essential and how the
essential vitamins benefit health is only half the battle.
Today many can buy vitamins online. Buying vitamins online
might just be the answer to nutrition needs.
Kristy Haugen is a mother with a Bachelor in Biology and
Chemistry. She is interested in health and informing the
consumer. Are your in need of a vitamin supplement. Buy
vitamins online at
http://www.vitaminmaniac.com/provitamintext.htm