20/10/2022
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Vitamins: are organic substances present in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs. Having too little of any particular vitamin may increase the risk of developing certain health issues.
A vitamin is an organic compound, which means that it contains carbon. It is also an essential nutrient that the body may need to get from food.
Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins:
Vitamins are either soluble, or dissolvable, in fat or water. We describe both types below:
Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. The body storesTrusted Source fat-soluble vitamins in fatty tissue and the liver, and reserves of these vitamins can stay in the body for days and sometimes months.
Dietary fats help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins through the intestinal tract.
Water-soluble vitamins:
Water-soluble vitamins do not stayTrusted Source in the body for long and cannot be stored. They leave the body via the urine. Because of this, people need a more regular supply of water-soluble vitamins than fat-soluble ones.
Vitamin C and all the B vitamins are water-soluble.
Vitamin A:
Chemical names: retinol, retinal, and “the four carotenoids,” including beta carotene.
It is fat-soluble.
Function: It is essential for eye health.
Deficiency: This may cause night blindness and keratomalacia, which causes the clear front layer of the eye to grow dry and cloudy.
Good sources: These include liver, cod liver oil, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, butter, kale, spinach, pumpkins, collard greens, some cheeses, eggs, apricots, cantaloupe melon, and milk.
Vitamin B1
Chemical name: thiamine.
It is water-soluble.
Function: It is essential for producing various enzymes that help break down blood sugar.
Deficiency: This may cause beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Good sources: These include yeast, pork, cereal grains, sunflower seeds, brown rice, whole grain rye, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver, and eggs.