Vitamins - A general guide to vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. vitamins Vitamins are derived from food and are essential to keep the body healthy and the mind alert. Although they do not provide energy or make up our cells or organs, without them the body cannot carry out many of the chemical processes it needs. A lack of certain vitamins can lead to fatigue, poor skin, teeth and bones and in some cases of severe deficiency, it can lead to serious illness. Vitamins interact with other nutrients in processes such as metabolism, digestion and developing blood cells and some vitamins are said to slow down the ageing process, prevent cancerous cells attacking the body and strengthen the immune system. There are 13 different vitamins that can be divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed from dietary fats in the intestine and are then stored in the liver until needed. This means that they do not have to be consumed every day. Water-soluble vitamins on the other hand, need to be consumed from foods every day, as any excess vitamins are lost through urine and cannot be stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins play an important part in the break down, metabolism and digestion of protein, fats and carbohydrates and the subsequent release of energy into the body and without an adequate supply of these vitamins, these processes may not be properly completed. Many vitamins are found in fruit and vegetables. Ideally, these food sources should be eaten raw, as vitamins can be lost or partially lost through the cooking process. However, just as the right amount of vitamins is essential for good health, the intake of too many vitamins can also be harmful. Below is a guide to each vitamin, which includes in which foods they can be found, their function in the body and how the body is affected by a deficiency of that vitamin.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 10:13:12 +0000
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