Vitamins (Vital+amines) are complex organic compounds present in small amount in our food. Vitamins do not provide energy. They do not promote growth yet they are essential for normal body activities. Mineral salts regulates the functions of all body organs.
Deficiency Disease of vitamins and mineral salts lead to several unhealthy conditions which are Deficiency Disease diseases.
Types of vitamins, sources and uses: Vitamins can be classified into types on their solubility in fat and water.
- Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins – A, D, E and K
- Water soluble vitamins : Vitamins B and C
Each vitamin has its own chemical name and very complicated chemical formula. However, for simplicity they are represented by letter such as A, B, C, D, E and K.
Sources of vitamins
Our body can’t in take most of the vitamins. Vitamin D can be formed in our body by the action of sunlight on fat under the skin and vitamin k is formed by the extent. Almost all the food items contains more their one vitamin in varying amount.
Vitamin-A: Vitamin-A Helps to keep eyes, hair and skin healthy .
- Where it is found: in carrots, butter, sweet potato’s, papaya and mango.
- Deficiency Disease: Night Blindness and exophthalmia .
Vitamin-B1: Helps the digestive and nervous system to work well.
- Where it is found : In eggs, meat, whole cereals and yeast
- Deficiency Disease: Beriberi
Vitamin-B2: Keeps the skin and mouth healthy
- Where it is found: in green leafy vegetables, peas, beans and milk
- Deficiency Disease: Retarded growth and bad skin
Vitamin B12: Needs for healthy blood and red blood cells
- Where it is found: Mostly in meat and non-vegetarian food
- Deficiency Disease : Anemia
Vitamin C: Helps to resist infections, of teeth, gums and joints
- Where it is found : In almost all fresh fruits, especially lemon, oranges and goose berries and guava
- Deficiency Disease: Scurvy
Vitamin D: Aids in the normal strengthening of bones
- Where it is found: in fish liver oils, milk, meat
- Deficiency Disease: Rickets in Children Osteomalacia in adult.
Vitamin K: Helps in the clotting of blood
- Where it is found: In green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and egg yolks.
- Deficiency Disease: Excessive bleeding after injury – Hemophilia
