Classification of vitamins

Vitamins

Casimir Funk, who coined the term “Vitamin” in 1912, believed that  “vital amines”  (similar to amino acids) were responsible for preventing vitamin deficiencies. Vitamins are a term he coined to describe these organic substances that have long been recognised as essential to life but do not provide the body with energy like other organic nutrients (such as carbohydrates, protein, and fat). Scientists dropped the ‘e’ when they realised the compounds in question were not amines, resulting in the term “Vitamins.”

Vitamins are organic micronutrients that are necessary but do not provide energy. Instead of breaking the chemical bonds of vitamin molecules and releasing their energy, our bodies use vitamins for other vital functions in our bodies.

We all need a source of energy  to carry out a variety of tasks. These vital energies are derived from the foods we consume. There are a number of compounds our bodies need in small amounts in order to function properly, and deficiency in these compounds can lead to disease. This group of molecules is referred to as a vitamin.

There are a number of chemical compounds that are necessary for certain biological functions and the maintenance of human growth, and these are known as “vitamins”.

Classification of Vitamins

There are two general categories of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble.

The functions and sites of action of vitamins can be affected by their solubility in water or fat. Cell membranes and nuclei can be protected from free radical damage by water-soluble vitamins while fat-soluble vitamins can influence gene expression in the cytosol and extracellular fluids, such as blood, when it comes to water-soluble vitamins.

1. Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that  Can be absorbed by Fat

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. These are fat-soluble vitamins because they can be stored in fat.

2. Water-Soluble Vitamins

We can’t store vitamins B and C in our bodies because they’re water-soluble and flushed out in our urine. Our bodies must receive these nutrients on a regular basis through our diets.

The way water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the body is a significant distinction. Vitamins that are water-soluble are absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the small intestine. The lymphatic system transports fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids into the bloodstream, where they are then transported to the liver. The amount of these vitamins that are absorbed depends on the diet’s food composition for their bioavailability. It’s possible that the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in low-fat meals may be hindered because they’re absorbed along with dietary fat.

When it comes to storing vitamins in the body, fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins differ. They can be stored in the liver as well as the fatty tissues of the body as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K Deficits of fat-soluble vitamins may take months to develop as the body stores become depleted because of the vitamins’ ability to store and draw from them when dietary intake falls below an optimal level. When it comes to fat-soluble vitamins, the body’s ability to store them can put it at risk of toxic overload. If fat-soluble vitamins are consumed in large quantities, either through food or supplementation, they can build up in the liver and other fatty tissues, resulting in symptoms of toxicity.

Water-soluble vitamins can only be stored in the body for a short period of time, so they must be taken on a daily basis. Because water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored, they are more common than fat-soluble vitamins. As a result, water-soluble vitamin toxicity is extremely rare. Some excess vitamin intake can be excreted through the urine because of their water solubility, reducing their potential for toxic effects. As with fat-soluble vitamins, it is rare for a person to consume too much water-soluble vitamin toxicity through food alone, but supplement use is more common than not.

There are 13 essential vitamins that are required for the body to work properly. They are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Biotin (B7)
• Folate (folic acid or B9)

Some vitamin-like nutrients are also needed by the body such as:

• Choline
• Carnitine

Functions of Vitamins

There is a vital role for each of the vitamins listed below in the human body. When you don’t get enough of a particular vitamin, you have a vitamin deficiency. Deficiencies in vitamins can lead to health issues.

• Vitamin A helps healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue and mucous membranes.
• Vitamin B6 pyridoxine is another name for vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 aids in the production of haemoglobin and the preservation of cognitive function. Many chemical reactions in the body depend on proteins that this vitamin helps to form. You need more pyridoxine when you eat more protein.
• Vitamin B12, This vitamin, along with the others in the B complex, aids in metabolism. Other functions include the formation of new red blood cells and a healthy nervous system. It’s a hair vitamin and helps in hair growth.
• Vitamin C, Antioxidant, also known as ascorbic acid, is beneficial to the oral cavity and gums. Iron absorption and tissue health are supported by this supplement. It is also necessary for the healing of wounds.
• Vitamin D the body produces vitamin D after exposure to the sun, making it known as the “sunshine vitamin.” For most people in most latitudes, ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure three times per week is sufficient to produce the body’s required amount of vitamin D. People who live in areas with little sunlight may not be able to produce adequate vitamin D. Only food can provide a small amount of the daily recommended intake of vitamin D. The absorption of calcium is aided by vitamin D in the body. To maintain healthy teeth and bones, you must consume calcium on a regular basis. It’s good for hair growth as it’s a kind of hair vitamin. Calcium and phosphorus levels can also be maintained by taking this supplement.
• Vitamin E also goes by the name of tocopherol, which is an antioxidant. Red blood cell formation and vitamin K utilisation are aided by this substance.
• Vitamin K has to be present for blood to coagulate or clot. According to some research, it’s crucial for bone health.
• Biotin metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, the production of hormones and cholesterol, and the formation of cholesterol.
• Niacin Skin and nerve health are supported by this B vitamin. At higher doses, it also has cholesterol-lowering properties as well.
• Folate aids in the formation of red blood cells when combined with vitamin B12. Tissue and cell growth and function are controlled by the production of DNA, which requires it. Pregnant women should make sure they get enough folate to support their growing baby. Spina bifida and other birth defects can be caused by a lack of folate in the mother’s diet. Folic acid, a form of folate, is now added to a wide variety of foods.
• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)food metabolism would not be possible without it. Hormones and cholesterol are also influenced by this substance.
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) complements the effects of the other B vitamins, etc. A healthy body and a healthy supply of haemoglobin are both dependent on it.
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) It aids the conversion of carbohydrates into cellular energy. While pregnant and nursing, it is critical to consume a sufficient amount of carbohydrates. It is also vital for the health of the heart and the nervous system.
• Choline assists in maintaining a healthy nervous system and brain. Choline deficiency can lead to liver inflammation, which can be dangerous..
• Carnitine Energy is produced by breaking down fatty acids in the body

Despite the fact that our bodies only need very small amounts of these compounds to carry out a variety of biological functions, a lack of them can result in serious health problems.

Conclusion

Vitamins perform a variety of biochemical roles. The growth and differentiation of cells and tissues is regulated by vitamin A. The mineral metabolism of bones and other organs is regulated by vitamin D, which acts like a hormone. As enzyme cofactors (coenzymes) or precursors, the B complex vitamins play an important role in the body. Antioxidants are vitamins C and E. Vitamin deficiency and overconsumption can both lead to clinically significant illness, though the latter is less likely to occur in the case of water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin deficiency and deficiency diseases can result if adequate vitamin intake is not achieved.