Vitamins

Vitamins are substances that our body needs to grow and develop normally.  Thirteen vitamins are universally recognized at present: vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B vitamins ( thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B -6, -12 B vitamins and folic acid ).

Vitamins have a function or task on their own.  For example, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a vitamin for humans, but not for most other animals, and biotin and vitamin D are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

If you have low levels of certain vitamins, you can suffer from deficiency diseases.  For example, if you do not get enough vitamin D, you can develop rickets.  Some vitamins can help prevent medical problems.  Vitamin A prevents night blindness.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" refers to a number of vitamer compounds that all show the biological activity associated with a particular vitamin.

Vitamins have diverse biochemical functions. Others function as antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E and sometimes vitamin C).

Vitamins may also be less tightly bound to enzyme catalysts as coenzymes, detachable molecules that function to carry chemical groups or electrons between molecules.

You can usually get all the vitamins from the foods you eat.  Your body can also make vitamins D and K.  People who eat a vegetarian diet need to take vitamin B12 supplements.

The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods.  In some cases, you may need to take a daily multivitamin for optimal health.  However, high doses of some vitamins can make you sick.