Vitamins

Vitamins are nutrients required in metabolic reactions in the body. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids. Nor does the term refer to the large number of other nutrients that promote health, but are not strictly essential.

Vitamins are substances that human body needs to grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins and can be obtained usually by eating food like fruits, vegetables and meat. Human body can also make vitamins D and K. Each vitamin has specific function needed in the normal function of organs. Not getting enough or recommended vitamins intake usually develop into a deficiency disease. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. In some cases, taking daily with multivitamins for optimal health. However, high doses of some vitamins can result to side effects that can cause illness.

[edit] List of Vitamins

Vitamin Generic Name	Vitamer Chemical Name	Solubility	RDA(adult male)	Deficiency
Vitamin A	Retinol	Fat	900 µg	Night-blindness
Vitamin B1	Thiamine	Water	1.2 mg	Beriberi
Vitamin B2	Riboflavin	Water	1.2 3g	Ariboflavinosis
Vitamin B3	Niacin	Water	16.0 mg	Pellagra
Vitamin B5	Pantothenic Acid	Water	5.0 mg	Paresthesia
Vitamin B6	Pyridoxine	Water	1.5 mg	Anemia
Vitamin B7	Biotin	Water	30.0 µg	Dermatitis
Vitamin B9	Folic acid	Water	400 µg	Megaloblast, birth defects
Vitamin B12	Cobalamin	Water	2.4 µg	Megaloblastic anemia
Vitamin C	Ascorbic Acid	Water	90.0 mg	Scurvy
Vitamin D	Calciferol	Fat	7.5 µg	Rickets, Osteomalacia
Vitamin E	Tocopherols	Fat	15.0 mg	mild hemolytic anemia in newborn infants
Vitamin K	Phylloquinone	Fat	20 µg	Bleeding diathesis