What are Vitamins?

Before going to know about vitamins and their uses, and benefits for health, we have to know What are vitamins? and history of vitamins and many more. Every living organism in this world needs some food items to grow healthy and fit for their long survival on the earth. Vitamins are like substances that are used for the growth of the body. Now let us know complete details about the vitamins below concepts.

Vitamins

Vitamins are defined as groups of substances that are essential for the growth, development, and proper functioning of the body. There are many vitamins for humans to maintain their functionalities properly. 

Some of the vitamins are mentioned below for the human body:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12

Vitamins and their scientific name is tabled below

Vitamins	Scientific name of vitamin
Vitamin- A	Retinol
Vitamin- C	Ascorbic acid
Vitamin- D	Calciferol
Vitamin- E	Tocopherol
Vitamin- K	Phytonadione

Vitamin of B group is tabled below

Vitamins	Scientific name of vitamins
Vitamin – B1	Thiamin
Vitamin – B2	Riboflavin
Vitamin – B3	Niacin
Vitamin – B5	Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin – B6	Pyridoxine
Vitamin – B7	Biotin
Vitamin – B9	Folic Acid
Vitamin – B12	Cobalamin

Classification or Types of Vitamins

Vitamins are classified on the basis of whether they are water-soluble or Fat-soluble

Water Soluble Vitamins

The name water-soluble vitamin says that vitamins that are soluble (dissolve) in water are called water-soluble vitamins.

Examples of water-soluble vitamins are

• Biotin-enhance the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and keratin formation. Deficiency-inflammation of intestine
• Vitamin C-It. is important for collagen formation, wound healing, bone formation, strong immune system and helps in the absorption of iron. Deficiency-results Scurvy, bleeding of gums, 
• Niacin-it is an important factor for the growth of cells. Deficiency-Cause pellagra, diarrhea, asking issues. 
• Folic acid-Essential for nucleotide synthesis. Deficiency– during pregnancy its deficiency can affect the fetus’s nervous system.
• Pyridine-
• Riboflavin-important for the development of body cells. Deficiency of this causes inflammation of the lips and fissures in the mouth.
• Thiamine-Important factor for the formation of enzymes needed for the breakdown of blood sugar. Deficiency of this causes beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
• Vitamins B12-important for a healthy nervous system. Deficiency of this affects the nervous system.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are in contrast to water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in oil only it does not dissolve in water.

Examples of Fat-soluble vitamins are

• Vitamin E-it is an antioxidant and relief the oxidation states, so important for cell survival.
• Vitamin K-This is important to factor in blood clotting, and deficiency of Vit. K leads to anemic issues and unusual blood loss.
• Vitamin A -is also known as Retinol. It is important for the Eye, deficiency of Vitamin A causes blindness.
• Vitamin D-important for the bones, deficiency of Vit. D cause Rickets.

Sources of Vitamins

Sources of vitamins are present in many food items. Some of the food items or sources rich in vitamins are listed below.

• Leafy vegetables: Leafy vegetables have vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, folate, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium.
• Broccoli: Broccoli has vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin K, Iron, Potassium, and also fiber. It has more protein compared to other vegetables.
  • Water content in broccoli: 90 percent
  • Carbohydrates: 7
  • Protein: 3
  • Fat: Not fat almost
• Lamb: Lamb has vitamins like B12 majorly other than B12 it also has vitamin B, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, riboflavin B2, and vitamin B5.
• Eggs: Egg has vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, Biotin, and choline.
• Avocados: Avocados have vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin B6.
• Fruits: Fruits like apples, mangos, pineapple, strawberries, pomegranate, grapes, citrus fruits, oranges, pears, melon, papaya, and finally bananas have rich in vitamins.
• Beef: Beef has vitamins like protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.
• Pork: Pork has vitamins like vitamins B6 and vitamin B12.
• Nuts: Nuts have vitamins like vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium.
• Seeds: Seeds have vitamins like vitamins B1, B2, B3, and vitamin E.

Some Vitamins, their Sources and Their Illness Due to Deficiencies

Vitamins	Sources	Disease due to deficiencies
A	Milk, fish liver oil, tomatoes, carrot.	Night blindness, retardation of growth.
B1 (Thiamine)	Rice, wheat, meat green vegetables.	Beriberi
B2 (Riboflayin)	Egg yolk, Liver	Inflammation of tongue, cheilosis (retarding the growth and digestion)
B5 (Pantothenic Acid)	Barley, Liver, Maize, Rice	Pellagra – pigmentation of the skin, degeneration of spinal cord.
B6 (A mixture of Pyriodoxine, Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine)	Wheat, Fish, Maize, Liver	Convulsions, failure to gain weight, mental changes.
B12	Egg, Curd, Fish, Liver	Anaemia
C	Oranges, grapes, lemon, green vegetable	Scurvy (bleeding, spongy swollen gums.)
E	Rice, liver, seed oils, soya bean oil.	Weakness of muscles, abnormal growth and deposition of tissue.
K	All greenly leafy vegetable like spinach, cauliflower, etc.	Increase in blood clotting time.
P	Orange, Grapes	Haemorrhage, decrease in capillary resistance.

FAQs on Vitamins

Q1. In which year vitamin is discovered? Who discovered vitamins?

Answer:

In the year 1912 vitamins are discovered in the research on health and diet. Casimir Funk coined the name vitamin in that year.

Q2. Which vitamin causes damage to the liver if we take that vitamin in overdose?

Answer:

B3 vitamin is also known as niacin causes liver damage if we take it in overdose.

Q3. Which vitamin helps in the growth of the vital organ brain?

Answer:

Vitamin B6, B9, and B12 are the vitamins that are essential for brain health, so these are also known as brain vitamins.

Q4. Clotting of blood takes more time for a person having a deficiency of which vitamin? Explain.

Answer:

Vitamin K which is also known as Phytonadione is used for blood clotting. If there is a deficiency in vitamin K we cannot stop blood for long hours.

Q5: Which Vitamin deficiency Causes Blindness in a Person?

Answer:

Vitamin A deficiency causes blindness in a person because vitamin A which is also known as retinol helps in increasing retina power.