Why are Vitamins important?
Vitamins are necessary growth factors. The body cannot synthesize vitamins, which are organic molecules, thus our bodies need to consume them every day for health, growth, and life.
- F.G. Hopkins, a British scientist, used experiments to demonstrate that our body also needs other nutrients besides carbs, proteins, and fats for survival and good health.
- A Latin phrase called vita, which means life, was coined by a Polish biochemist (Casmir funk) to describe these deficient elements.
- Thus, vitamins are essential growth elements, to put it briefly.
Importance of Vitamins:
- Vitamin A, which is present in our eyes, helps us see by transporting visual data from the eye to the brain. It also provides the cornea of the eye with a moist nature.
- Vitamin C strengthens our immune system and aids in blood production.
- The control of nerve impulse transmission and the synthesis of haemoglobin are both aided by vitamin B. Additionally, some 100 enzymes are activated by vitamin B.
- Vitamin D strengthens bones and teeth. It controls the amount of Ca in our blood.
Types of Vitamins
Classification of Vitamins on the basis of solubility:
The solubility of vitamins determines which of two categories they fall into. Below are the two types of vitamins:
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Water soluble vitamins
Fat Soluble Vitamins:
- The term “fat-soluble vitamins” refers to vitamins that are soluble in fat.
- Fat-soluble vitamins should only be used in accordance or as directed by your doctor because excessive intake can have negative effects, such as vitamin-A overdose causes:
- Irritability
- Dry skin
- Pressure inside head or headache
Overdose of vitamin D cause:
- Bone pain
- Joint pain
- Kidney pain
- Loss of weight
Examples of fat-soluble vitamins are; vitamin-A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K.
Water Soluble Vitamins:
- Water-soluble vitamins are those that are soluble in water.
- Any excess water-soluble vitamins you consume will be expelled by your body.
- However, even at excess doses, they are not hazardous.
- Examples are vitamin-B and vitamin C.
Note:
Vitamins such as vitamins B and C, are soluble in water. When the foods that contain these vitamins’ natural sources—such as rice, pulses, beans, gram, and peas—are boiled in water before being drained. Water will cause vitamins B and C to dissolve, and they will sink with the water that is drained.
Check out -> Structure and Function of Nucleic acids
Vitamins Rich Foods: Sources
Vitamin-A:
Green vegetables, milk, butter, fish oil, and eggs all contain vitamin A.
Vitamin-B:
Meal, bread, rice, yeast, liver, soybeans, and green vegetables all contain vitamin B.
Vitamin-C:
Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, and green vegetables all contain vitamin C.
Vitamin-D:
Fish oils, milk, butter, and eggs all contain vitamin D.
Vitamin-E:
Meal, bread, rice, eggs, butter, and green vegetables all contain vitamin E.
Vitamin-K:
Green vegetables and liver both contain vitamin K.
Importance of vitamins:
Vitamin-A:
Vitamin A is crucial for healthy skin and vision.
Vitamin-B:
The creation of energy, nerve modulation, and skin health all depend on vitamin B.
Vitamin-C:
Blood vessels, gum strength, wound healing, and cold prevention all benefit from vitamin C.
Vitamin-D:
Bone and teeth gain strength from vitamin D.
Vitamin-E:
Antioxidants include vitamin E.
Vitamin-K:
Vitamin K promotes blood coagulation.
Vitamins deficiency symptoms and diseases
Deficiency symptoms:
Vitamin-A:
Deficiency of vitamin-A causes night blindness and dryness of the skin.
Vitamin-B:
Anaemia, gum disease, tongue irritation, and skin problems are all brought on by vitamin-B deficiency.
Vitamin-C:
Deficiency of vitamin-C causes scurvy.
Vitamin-D:
Osteomalacia and rickets are brought on by vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin-E:
Deficiency of vitamin-E causes sterility and hemolysis of red blood cells (RBC’s)
Vitamin-K:
Delay in blood clotting haemorrhage is brought on by vitamin K deficiency.
Vitamins for kids
- Most Important Gummi Bear: A Religious Must-Have for Kids Ages 4 and Up
- SmartyPants Children’s Daily Multivitamin is the most cost-effective choice.
- Toddlers should take OLLY Kids Multi + Probiotic Gummy Multivitamins.
- The finest organic food is from Garden of Life mykind Organics. Fruit-flavoured vitamin chews for children
- Llama Naturals Plant-Based Vitamin Bites, the best vegan option
- Nordic Naturals Vitamin D Infant Drops are the best on the market. Vitamin D3 Supplements for Infants
- Garden of Life is the best liquid multivitamin. Vitamins and Minerals in a Liquid Form for Infants
- Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi with Iron is the best iron supplement for picky eaters.
- Optimal health during childhood depends on youngsters consuming adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Although vitamin and mineral supplements are rarely necessary for healthy youngsters, there are exceptions.
If you’re wondering whether or not your youngster needs vitamins, this article will fill you in on the topic and recommend the 8 finest brands on the market.
Related post -> Lipid Biomolecule
Tips for Buying Children’s Vitamins
Vitamins may be helpful for your child if you feed them a special diet, they have trouble absorbing nutrients, or they are finicky eaters.
- Consult a doctor before giving your child any kind of supplement.
- Check for certifications from organisations like NSF International, the United States Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, Informed Choice, and the Banned Substances Control Group while shopping for dietary supplements.
- Select children’s vitamins that do not contain megadoses that go beyond what children require on a regular basis.
Precautions to Take When Giving Your Child Vitamins and Minerals
When consumed in large quantities, vitamins and minerals from supplements can be harmful to children. Those fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are especially susceptible to this, as they are stored in adipose tissue .
According to one case study, a toddler who took too much vitamin D from supplements became poisonous.
As a result of their candy-like appearance and flavour, gummy vitamins in particular might lead to accidental overconsumption.
Vitamins should be kept out of the reach of small children, and older children and adolescents should be educated on the proper dosage to avoid accidental overdosing.
An overdose of vitamins or minerals can have serious consequences, so it’s important to seek medical attention or call a poison control centre if you’re worried about your child.
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Frequently asked questions
What are vitamins and its types?
Vitamins are essential nutrients for healthy growth and functioning. Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, together with the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate/folic acid), are all examples.
What are the 13 vitamins your body needs?
The human body needs vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B complex are only a few of the 13 necessary vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).
What do the vitamins do for you?
Vitamins and minerals help cells and organs function normally, strengthen the immune system, and promote growth and development.
What is the most important vitamin and why?
The medical profession is divided over which vitamin is essential to good health. Vitamin B12 or D3 seems to be the most likely culprits. Both are really important, but due to the widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we’re going to have to give the nod to vitamin D. Studies reveal that most Americans are low in Vitamin D, but taking unnecessary vitamins is pointless at best and hazardous at worst.
