Vitamin

Traditionally vitamins are separated into two groups, the water-soluble and the fat-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins are thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6, folic acid, vitamin B 12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and vitamin C. The fat-soluble vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Inadequate intake of specific vitamins can result in a characteristic deficiency disease (hypovitaminosis), and the severity depends upon the degree of vitamin deprivation. Symptoms may be specific (e.g., functional night blindness with vitamin A deficiency), nonspecific (e.g., loss of appetite, failure to grow), or irreversible (e.g., damage to the cornea of the eye, nerve tissue, calcified bone). There is no uniform agreement concerning vitamin requirements for humans, but recommended daily vitamin intakes are sufficiently high to account for individual variation and normal environmental stresses. vitamin, any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life. Vitamins are distinct in several ways from other biologically important Vitamins are usually designated by selected letters of the alphabet, as in table. The vitamins vitamin alternative names/forms biological function symptoms of deficiency Water-soluble vitamin B 1 component of a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism; supports normal nerve function impairment of the nerves and heart muscle wasting vitamin B 2 component of co...

One type comes from animal sources of food. It helps you see at night, make red blood cells, and fight off infections. The other type is in plant foods. It helps prevent damage to cells and an eye problem called age-related macular degeneration. (But too much vitamin A can hurt your liver.) Eat orange veggies and fruits like sweet potato and cantaloupe, spinach and other greens, dairy foods, and seafood such as shrimp and salmon. It helps your body turn food into energy. It's also key for the structure of brain cells. Legumes, like black beans and lentils, and seeds are go-to sources. Pork and whole grains are also good. Most people get enough thiamin from the foods they eat, but pregnant and breastfeeding women need a little more. People with diabetes tend to have low levels of it. You could get enough for the day from a good breakfast! It’s added to many fortified breads and grain products and also found naturally in eggs, asparagus and other green veggies, and milk. Your cells need it to work right, and it might help prevent migraines. (It gets its name from the Latin word "flavus" for yellow -- a lot of B2 will turn your pee a bright color.) This is a family of compounds that your body needs to turn food into energy and store it. It helps protect your skin and tissues, too, and may improve your cholesterol levels. Three ounces of canned tuna has nearly all you’ll need in a day. Or serve up some chicken, turkey, salmon, or other lean meats. You're vegan? Eat crimini mus...

Medical News Todayonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Vitamins are organic compounds that people need in small quantities. Each has a different role in maintaining health and bodily function. Some people need supplements to boost their supply, but this depends on their lifestyle and overall health. Each organism has different vitamin requirements. For example, humans need to get Most vitamins need to come from food because the body either does not produce them or produces very little. For humans, Different vitamins play different roles in the body, and a person requires a different amount of each vitamin to stay healthy. This article explains what vitamins are, what they do, and which foods are good sources. Follow the links in blue below for more information about each vitamin. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Oscar Wong/Getty Images Vitamins are organic substances present in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs. Having too little of any parti...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Your body doesn’t naturally produce vitamin A, but you can find it in many foods. It’s also available as a nutritional supplement. But unless you have a diagnosed “Because so many foods contain vitamin A, it’s easy to get it through your meals,” says dietitian Elyse Homan, RD, LD. “But you also have to know how much vitamin A is enough — and how much vitamin A may be too much. It’s a balancing act.” Homan shares how to increase your intake without going overboard and explores the many vitamin A benefits. What is vitamin A? Vitamin A is a critical vitamin that helps your body develop and function properly. There are two types of vitamin A, which come from different sources: • Carotenoids (provitamin A) are found in plant-based foods, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, fortified foods (where vitamins are added) and supplements. To digest carotenoids, your body needs healthy fats to change (convert) them into the other, active form of vitamin A (retinol). One of the most common carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is responsible for giving plants their orange and red pigments. • Retinoids (retinol or preformed vitamin A) are found in animal-based foods, such as eggs, fish, milk and liver. Your body can use this form of vitamin A right away. What does vitamin A do for your body? This nutrient plays many import...

You’re probably familiar with Vitamin B6 and B12, but did you know there are actually eight B vitamins? • • • • • • • • These vitamins help a variety of enzymes do their jobs, ranging from releasing energy from carbohydrates and fat to breaking down amino acids and transporting oxygen and energy-containing nutrients around the body. Spotlight on Three of the Bs: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 One of the advances that changed the way we look at vitamins was the discovery that too little folate is linked to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9, water-soluble and naturally found in many foods. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively. Another line of research about folate and two other B vitamins, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, explores their roles in reducing some types of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Related Last reviewed March 2023 Terms of Use The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any question...

Vitamin A is an important fat-soluble vitamin that supports your immune system, vision, reproductive health, and fetal growth. Even though it’s essential to get enough, taking too much can be harmful. Vitamin A plays a vital role in your body. It exists naturally in foods and can also be consumed through supplements. This article discusses vitamin A, including its benefits, food sources of the vitamin, and the effects of deficiency and toxicity. Though vitamin A is often considered a singular nutrient, it’s really a group of fat-soluble compounds, including retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters ( Two forms of vitamin A are found in food. Preformed vitamin A — retinol and retinyl esters — occurs exclusively in animal products such as To use both of these forms of vitamin A, your body must convert them to retinal and retinoic acid, the active forms of the vitamin. Because vitamin A is Most of the vitamin A in your body is kept in your liver in the form of retinyl esters ( These esters are then broken down into all-trans-retinol, which binds to retinol-binding protein. It then enters your bloodstream, at which point your body can use it ( Summary “Vitamin A” is the generic term for a group of fat-soluble compounds found in both animal and plant foods. Vitamin A is essential for your health. It supports cell growth, immune function, fetal development, and vision. Perhaps one of the best-known functions of vitamin A is its role in vision and Retinal, the active form of vitamin A...

Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients required by the body to carry out a range of normal functions. However, these micronutrients are not produced in our bodies and must be derived from the food we eat. Vitamins are organic substances that are generally classified as either fat soluble or water soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins ( Minerals are inorganic elements present in soil and water, which are absorbed by plants or consumed by animals. While you’re likely familiar with In the U.S., the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) develops nutrient reference values called the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for vitamins and minerals. [1] These are intended as a guide for good nutrition and as a scientific basis for the development of food guidelines in both the U.S. and Canada. The DRIs are specific to age, gender, and life stages, and cover more than 40 nutrient substances. The guidelines are based on available reports of deficiency and toxicity of each nutrient. Learn more about vitamins and minerals and their recommended intakes in the table below. Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamins and Minerals for Adults Vitamin (Common Names) Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Daily Adequate Intake (AI)* Upper Limit Women Men Vitamin A (preformed = retinol; beta-carotene can be converted to Vitamin A) 700 micrograms (2,333 IU) 900 micrograms (3,000 IU) 3,000 micrograms (about 10,000 IU) Thiamin (vitamin B1) 1.1 milligrams 1.2 milligrams Not known 1.1 mi...

Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. Food sources of vitamin B-12 include poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals, and is available as an oral supplement. Vitamin B-12 injections or nasal spray might be prescribed to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not common in the U.S. However, people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet might be prone to deficiency because plant foods don't contain vitamin B-12. Older adults and people with digestive tract conditions that affect absorption of nutrients also are susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Left untreated, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Research on the use of vitamin B-12 for specific activities and conditions shows: • Heart and blood vessel disease. Researchers had previously believed that vitamin B-12, when combined with folic acid (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-6, might prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels by reducing the levels of an amino acid in the blood (homocysteine). However, studies show that the combination of these vitamins doesn't seem to reduce the risk or severity of cardiov...

Vitamin D deficiency — when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low — can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function — and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer — but this is still being investigated. Although the amount of vitamin D adults get from their diets is often less than what's recommended, exposure to sunlight can make up for the difference. For most adults, vitamin D deficiency is not a concern. However, some groups — particularly people who are obese, who have dark skin and who are older than age 65 — may have lower levels of vitamin D due to their diets, little sun exposure or other factors. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day. That goes up to 800 IU a day for those older than age 70. To meet this level, choose foods that are rich in vitamin D. For example, choose fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, tuna and halibut, which offer higher amounts of vitamin D, or fortified foods, such as milk and yogurt. Don't overdo it, though. Very high levels of vitamin D have not been shown to provide greater benefits. In fact, too much vitamin D has been linked to other health problems. If you're concerned about whether you're getting enough vitamin D, talk to your doctor about your diet and whether a vitamin supplement might benefit you. • Vitamin D. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://w...