Vitamins for Life

Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for life. When our body does not produce enough, or does not produce any, of a compound we need for survival, and it must therefore be obtained through food, it is called a vitamin. We not only need vitamins to survive, but also to help us function at our peak efficiency.

 

The Two Groups

There are two different groups of vitamins. There are fat-soluble vitamins, which are stored in our fat tissues and liver. These stay with us for anywhere from a few days to a few months. Vitamins A, D, E, and K fall into this category.

The other category is water-soluble vitamins. Unfortunately, these vitamins have to be replaced more often since they get expelled through the urine. The water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C and all of the B vitamins.

The Thirteen Vitamins

• Vitamin A is also known as retinol. It can be found in: broccoli, pumpkin, milk, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin A deficiency may cause night-blindness and keratomalacia.

• Vitamin B₁, also known as thiamine, can be found in sunflower seeds, asparagus, brown rice, yeast, pork, eggs, and cauliflower. Deficiency in this vitamin may cause beriberi and Wenicke-Korsakoffsyndrome.

• Vitamin B₂ is known as riboflavin. A B₂ deficiency may cause ariboflavinosis. Good sources of this vitamin are: asparagus, okra, yogurt, green beans, meat, and cottage cheese.

• Vitamin B₃, known as niacin, can be found in leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, whole grains, legumes, and meat. A B₃ deficiency may cause pellagra.

• Vitamin B₅ is also known as pantothenic acid. It is in whole grains, avocados, and meats. A deficiency may cause paresthesia.

• Vitamin B₆, known as pyridoxamine, is in meats, bananas, nuts, and whole grains. A vitamin B₆ deficiency may cause anemia or peripheral neuropathy.

• Vitamin B₇ is also known as biotin. A deficiency may cause dermatitis and enteritis. It can be found in egg yolks and some vegetables.

• Vitamin B₉ has the chemical name, folic acid, and can be found in some grain products, leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, and legumes. A deficiency may cause birth defects.

• Vitamin B₁₂ is known as hydroxy-cobalamin. A vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia. Good sources of this vitamin are: meat, eggs, and dairy products, and some fortified  and soy and cereal products.

• Vitamin C is known as ascorbic acid. A deficiency may cause megaloblastic anemia. It can be found in many fruit, vegetables, and liver.

• Vitamin D, also known as ergocalciferol, is found in eggs, fatty fish, beef liver, mushrooms, and sunlight. A deficiency may cause rickets and osteomalacia.

• Vitamin E, or tocopherols, can be derived from avocado, whole grains, nuts, leafy greens, vegetables, and milk.

• Vitamin K is also known as phylloquinone. A deficiency can cause bleeding diathesis. This vitamin can be found in avocados, kiwifruit, and parsley.

Vitamins can be obtained through foods. Most people do not get enough of a balanced diet to take care of their vitamin and mineral needs. To fill in the gaps, take vitamin supplements, like Two a Day Multivitamin and Clinical Nutrients for Females and Teens.