What is Vitamin?
Vitamins are essential nutrients that are required by the body in small amounts for various bodily functions, such as energy production, immune function, and growth and development. They are organic compounds that are not produced by the body in sufficient quantities, so they must be obtained through the diet or supplements.
There are 13 recognized vitamins, which are divided into two categories:
1. Fat-soluble vitamins:
- Vitamin A (important for vision, immune function, and skin health)
- Vitamin D (crucial for bone health and immune function)
- Vitamin E (acts as an antioxidant and supports skin health)
- Vitamin K (necessary for blood clotting and bone health)
2. Water-soluble vitamins:
- Vitamin C (important for immune function, collagen production, and iron absorption)
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1, essential for energy production and nerve function)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2, important for energy production and eye health)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3, crucial for energy production and skin health)
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5, necessary for energy production and hormone production)
- Vitamin B6 (involved in many bodily processes, including energy production and nerve function)
- Biotin (important for energy production, nerve function, and skin health)
- Folate (Vitamin B9, crucial for fetal development during pregnancy)
- Vitamin B12 (necessary for energy production, nerve function, and red blood cell formation)
Vitamins play a vital role in maintaining optimal health, and deficiencies in any of these essential nutrients can lead to various health problems.
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