Article DetailsALL ABOUT VITAMINS |
| Date Added: November 24, 2009 05:00:00 PM |
| Author: Jayasree Mallela |
| Category: Health: Alternative Medicine |
| A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism . With few exceptions, the body cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied by the diet or in dietary supplements. Vitamins are essential to the normal functioning of our bodies.
FUNCTIONS OF VITAMINS: 1.They are necessary for growth, vitality, health, general well being 2.The prevention and cure of many health problems and diseases. 3.Function as hormones (e.g. vitamin D) 4. Mediators of cell signaling and regulators of cell and tissue growth and differentiation (e.g. vitamin A). 5.Help act as catalysts and substrates in metabolism CLASSIFICATION OF VITAMINS: Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not by their structure Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble or fat soluble. In humans there are 13 vitamins: 4 fat-soluble (A, D, E and K) and 9 water-soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C). Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of fats. WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS : VITAMIN B: There's more than one B vitamin. List : B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN B: 1. Helps in the production of energy 2. Helps in production of RBC which carry oxygen through out the SOURCES OF VITAMIN B: whole grains, such as wheat and oats fish and seafood poultry and meats eggs dairy products, like milk and yogurt leafy green vegetables beans and peas Vitamin C: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN C: 1. Keeps the gums and muscles in good shape 2. Helps your resist infection SOURCES OF VITAMIN C: citrus fruits, like oranges strawberries tomatoes Broccoli,cabbage FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS: VITAMIN A: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN A: 1. Helps in night vision 2. Helps in colour vision 3. For healthy and proper skin SOURCES: milk fortified with vitamin A liver orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes) dark green leafy vegetables Vitamin D: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN D: 1.Strengthen the bones 2.Forming the strong teeth 3.Absorption of calcium in the body SOURCES : milk fortified with vitamin D fish egg yolks liver fortified cereal Vitamin E: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN E: 1. Protects the lungs from damaging by polluted air 2. Maintenance of body tissues 3. Helps in the formation of RBC SOURCES : whole grains, such as wheat and oats wheat germ leafy green vegetables egg yolks nuts and seeds Vitamin K: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN K: 1. Helps in blood clotting SOURCES: leafy green vegetables dairy products, like milk and yogurt broccoli soybean oil Thus vitamins play a very important role in maintenance of our body |
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