Vitamins

Vitamins are among the most essential micronutrients in human body and are important organic compounds contributing to metabolic reactions, though necessary only in small amounts. Vitamins are essentially bio-molecules that act as catalysts in metabolic processes, and serve as important coenzymes containing various chemical groups. Until the 990s, vitamins were understood to be consumed totally through food intake. Currently, vitamins are produced as pills for dietary supplement.

Vitamins are known to be important elements required for the growth and development of humans, and the regular intake of certain vitamins helps in the development of fetal skin, bone, and muscle in the mother’s womb. Vitamin deficiency during early stages of growth can cause children to be prone to developing major diseases or permanent physical or mental damage. Intestinal microorganisms produce vitamin K and biotin while vitamin D is produced and synthesized in the skin via ultraviolet rays of the sun. Vitamin A is formed in the body due to consumption of beta carotene and niacin. Vitamins play a key role in maintenance of cells, tissues, and organs and also enable cells to function efficiently and utilize the chemical energy that’s provided by food being consumed. Vitamins therefore also help in the processing of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the human body.

Vitamin deficiencies are either primary or secondary. Primary vitamin deficiencies occur when a person doesn’t get enough vitamins in their food intake, and secondary deficiencies occur when an underlying disorder is known to prevent the absorption of the vitamins. Smoking and consumption of alcohol or medications are likely to affect the consumption of the vitamins in human body. Also, many people on so-called “crash” diets don’t realize the impact of vitamin deficiencies caused by such diets. Humans must regularly consume vitamins because the human body is generally not known to store many vitamins. Some vitamin types like vitamins A, D, and B12 are in fact stored in the human body (primarily in the liver). Vitamin B3 stored in the body tends only to last for a few weeks.

The more prominent vitamin deficiencies in human beings include deficiencies in thiamine, which causes diseases like beriberi, niacin deficiencies that cause pellagra, vitamin C deficiencies that lead to scurvy, and vitamin D deficiencies that cause rickets. Most vitamin deficiencies are in fact rare among the people in developed countries due to the adequate food supplies.

Please review other areas of Nutritionzing.com to understand more about your body, its nutrition requirements, and mechanisms to ensure a satisfied and healthy lifestyle through good diet.