Definition:

Vitamins are essential micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts to maintain good health. They are required for a variety of functions in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, and maintaining the immune system. Vitamins are essential micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts to maintain good health. There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Fat-soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining healthy vision, growth and development of cells, immune function, skin health and also maintaining normal cell growth and development, including that of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. It can be found in food sources such as liver, egg yolks, butter, fortified milk and cheese, and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and the maintenance of strong bones and teeth. It also helps regulate the immune system and also cell growth. It can be obtained through exposure to sunlight and is also found in foods such as fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, and fortified dairy products.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the body’s cells from damage, it also acts as an anti-inflammatory and also helps in maintaining healthy skin and hair. It can be found in food sources such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin K:

Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and the formation of strong bones. It also helps in keeping the blood vessels healthy. It can be found in food sources such as leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and kale, and also in soybeans, meat, and eggs.

Water-soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin B Complex:

Vitamin B complex is a complex of vitamins that play a variety of roles in the body, including maintaining energy levels, supporting the immune system, and promoting healthy skin, hair, and eyes. There are several types of vitamin B, including:

B1 (thiamine) – helps in converting food into energy and also helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system.

B2 (riboflavin) – helps in converting food into energy, maintaining healthy skin and eyes, and also helps in preventing migraines.

B3 (niacin) – helps in converting food into energy, maintaining healthy skin and nerves, and also helps in lowering cholesterol levels.

B5 (pantothenic acid) – helps in converting food into energy and also helps in producing hormones.

B6 (pyridoxine) – helps in producing red blood cells, maintaining healthy skin and nerves, and also helps in producing hormones.

B7 (biotin) – helps in converting food into energy, maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, and also helps in producing hormones.

B9 (folate) – helps in producing red blood cells and also helps in preventing birth defects.

B12 (cobalamin) – helps in producing red blood cells, maintaining healthy nerves, and also helps in preventing birth defects.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the body’s cells from damage, also helps in producing collagen, which is necessary for the growth and repair of tissues and also helps in maintaining a healthy immune system. It can be found in food sources such as oranges, lemons, berries, and leafy green vegetables.

It’s important to note that the body can’t produce these vitamins on its own, so it’s essential to get them through a balanced diet or supplements, and always consult with a doctor before taking any supplement.

Deficiency of each vitamin and diseases caused by that

Each vitamin plays an important role in maintaining good health, and a deficiency of any vitamin can lead to a variety of health problems. Here’s a brief overview of the deficiencies of each vitamin and the diseases they can cause:

• Vitamin A Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness, dry eyes, and an increased risk of infections. In severe cases, it can lead to blindness and even death.
• Vitamin D Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to weak bones and an increased risk of osteoporosis and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). It can also lead to rickets in children and increased risk of falls in elderly.
• Vitamin E Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin E can lead to nerve damage, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infections.
• Vitamin K Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin K can lead to abnormal blood clotting and an increased risk of bleeding.
• Vitamin B Complex Deficiency:

1. B1 (thiamine) deficiency can cause beriberi, which can affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
2. B2 (riboflavin) deficiency can cause ariboflavinosis, which can affect the skin, eyes, and mouth.
3. B3 (niacin) deficiency can cause pellagra, which can affect the skin, nervous system, and gastrointestinal system.
4. B5 (pantothenic acid) deficiency is rare but can cause fatigue and apathy.
5. B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency can cause anemia, skin disorders, and neurological symptoms.
6. B7 (biotin) deficiency is rare but can cause skin rash, hair loss, and anemia.
7. B9 (folate) deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, birth defects, and an increased risk of cancer.
8. B12 (cobalamin) deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, nerve damage, and an increased risk of birth defects.

• Vitamin C Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infections.