Vitamins are the organic compounds which cannot be produced by the body and must be supplied in small amounts in diet for the normal health, growth and maintenance of body. These are essential to us for the proper functioning of the different organisms and are chemically different from main nutrients, fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The absence or deficiency of a vitamin can cause specific diseases. These are designated as A, B, C, D, E and K. Vitamins are classified as water soluble and fat soluble.
Water soluble vitamins: The vitamins which are soluble in water are called water soluble vitamins. e.g. vitamins B and C.
Fat soluble vitamins: The vitamins which are soluble in fats are called fat soluble vitamins. e.g. vitamins A, D, E and K.
1) Vitamin A: The chemical name of vitamin A is retinol. It is a fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin A helps in proper growth and normal skeletal development of the body, in maintaining proper vision, for healthy teeth structure and in the maintenance of healthy, glowing soft skin. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness and xerosis.
2) Vitamin B: Vitamin B is a water soluble vitamin. It consists of eleven substances. Out of these vitamins, B1, B2, B4 and B12 are important.
3) Vitamin B1: The chemical name of vitamin B1 is thiamine. Vitamin B1 helps in carbohydrates metabolism, in functioning of heart, nerves and muscles, it sharpens our appetite and is sometimes referred to as an appetite vitamin. The deficiency of vitamin B1 causes beri-beri.
4) Vitamin B2: The vitamin B2 is chemically called riboflavin. It is a water soluble vitamin. It helps in oxidation and utilization of oxygen, in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, to keep the skin healthy and normal functioning of eyes. Deficiency of vitamin B2 causes cracking of skin, lips, corners of the mouth, photophobia (rough eye lips).
5) Vitamin B4: It is also called niacin. It is a water soluble vitamin belonging to the B-complex group and most stable vitamins. Vitamin B4 required for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, to keep mental and skin healthy. The deficiency of vitamin B4 causes pellagra.
6) Vitamin B12: The chemical name of vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin. It is also water soluble vitamin. It is essential for the metabolism of nervous tissue, for the formation of healthy blood and proper growth of the body, for preventing the disease called pernicious anaemia. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes pernicious anaemia, inflammation of tongue and mouth.
7) Vitamin C: The chemical name of vitamin C is ascorbic acid. Of all vitamins it is the most highly soluble in water. It helps to keep teeth, gums and joints healthy, an important role in normal metabolism of the amino acids, in healing of cut and wounds and it gives resistance to our body against diseases and infections. The deficiency of vitamin C causes scurvy.
8) Vitamin D: Vitamin D is called calciferol. It is a fat soluble vitamin. It is formed in the skin under the action of sunshine. It helps in the utilization of calcium and phosphorus and to keep bones and teeth healthy. The deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets.
9) Vitamin E: The chemical name of vitamin E is tocopherol and fat soluble. It plays an important role in the protection of vitamin A, carotene and ascorbic acid and for the normal reproduction and protection of the liver. The deficiency of vitamin E causes loss of sexual powder of reproduction.
10) Vitamin K: The chemical name of vitamin K is phylloquinone. It is fat soluble vitamin. It is also called coagulation vitamin. It helps in clotting of blood and prevents haemorrhage. The deficiency of vitamin K causes haemorrhage lengthens the time of blood clotting.