What are Vitamins and their types
All of us have heard about Vitamins but do we really know what vitamins are and how it is made
So, Vitamins are organic substances present in food in very minute amounts. These are organic compounds and hold carbon which is one of the essential nutrients that is needed by the human body from food hence if it is unavailable in adequate amounts results in health issues. The human body needs 13 recognized vitamins namely Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 which are broadly categorized under water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Fat-soluble vitamins are mainly A, D, E, and K. The body stores fat-soluble vitamins in fatty tissues and the liver and the reserved part stay in the body for months
Whereas water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for a longer time and cannot be kept stored, they excrete via urine. Vitamin C and Vitamin B come under this category which is required continuously by the body.
Any of the 12 vitamins, if inadequate leads to some or the other issue. Let us now understand the different vitamins
The 13 vitamins: Descriptions
Vitamin A: It is a fat-soluble vitamin and is essential for vision, mainly eye health
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Night Blindness
- Keratomalacia: In this, the front layer becomes dry and cloudy.
Vitamin B1: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is essential for enzyme production and helps break blood sugar in the body
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Beri-Beri
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Vitamin B2: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is essential for the growth and development of body cells and metabolism.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Inflammation of lips
- Fissures in the mouth
Vitamin B3: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is required for cells growth
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Pellagra – cause
- diarrhea
- skin changes
- intestinal problems
Vitamin B5: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is vital for producing energy and hormones.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Paraesthesia
Vitamin B6: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is vital for producing red blood cells.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Anemia
- Peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin B7: It is a water-soluble vitamin and it helps to metabolize protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Also helps in the formation of structural protein namely Keratin essential for hair and nail growth.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Dermatitis
- Intestinal inflammation
Vitamin B9: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is vital for RNA and DNA formation
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Affects the fetus nervous system during pregnancy
Vitamin B12: It is a water-soluble vitamin and is very essential for a healthy nervous system.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Neurological disorders
- Anemia
Vitamin C : It is a water-soluble vitamin and helps in the production of collagen, the formation of bones, and the healing system of the body. The major function is to support the immune system and enable iron absorption
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Scurvy
- Bleeding gums
- Loss of teeth
- Hampers tissue growth
- Slower wound healing
Vitamin D: It is a fat-soluble vitamin and supports the mineralization of bones.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Rickets
- Osteomalacia or softening of bones
Vitamin E: It is a fat-soluble vitamin and it helps prevention of oxidative stress thereby increasing the risk of inflammation.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Destroys blood cells
Vitamin K: It is a fat-soluble vitamin and it helps in blood clotting.
Diseases caused due to deficiency:
- Bleeding
CONCLUSION
Vitamin deficiency should not be ignored as persistent deficiency leads to fatal diseases. The symptoms should be noticed and proper action should be taken. There are many Vitamin Supplements available in the market these days but these should be taken with utmost care as many of them are synthetic and are not natural.
We at Ayurzon have products by “WellBeing Nutrition” which are diligently tested and checked at all points for maintaining quality. This product has a strip that is very easy to consume, you just have to put these in your mouth after meals, and dissolve in no time. These strips are available for different vitamins and are enriched with flavors thereby making them consumable at ease. Also, follow proper diet to ensure healthy living