Vitamins Overview

The word "vitamin" comes from the "vitamine", which means vital amine. Vitamins are powerful organic compounds found mainly in the food that we eat. People need vitamins to help their cells and tissues function normally. So vitamins are needed for the growth of the body.


The 2 types of vitamins are the water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins are also called hormones. All of the commonly-known vitamins are the water-soluble kind, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is the most common one. Before, it was believed that all water-soluble vitamins belong to just one group called B complex because they were all found in the same source. They were later recognized to be different.


Vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B9, D, E, H, K, P, Choline and Inositol are some of the other vitamins. A number of vitamins are known by their biological names, like vitamin B1 is thiamine, and vitamin H is biotin.


Vitamins form an essential component of the balanced diet that we eat. People with chronic illnesses are advised to take vitamin supplements by their doctors. The same goes for pregnant women and those who suffer from bowel disorders. Bowel disorders cause poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Folic acid is needed by people with thalassaemia. Patients with pernicious anemia have to be given injections of vitamin B12 because of its acute deficiency in their body.


We need small amounts of vitamins regularly to keep the body functioning normally. These vitamins help the organs to carry out their individual functions. Without vitamins, our body will get sick. There are enough vitamins present in our foods but if we don't eat a balanced diet the external supplements will do the needful.


Vitamins are useful and mandatory for the body, but excess of everything is bad. You can harm your body if you take too much vitamins. For example, you only need 400-800 units of vitamin D a day. If there is an excess of vitamin D, then too much calcium will be absorbed by the bloodstream, and this can damage the kidneys. Keep in mind that a healthy diet is better than a million supplements any day.


Last word of caution. You should not take vitamins from scattered information. You should ask your doctor. Keep in mind that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

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