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Vitamins are a class of essential nutrients that cannot be synthesized (either at all or in sufficient quantities) by a given organism and must be taken (in trace quantities) with food for that organism's continued good health. Humans require 13 different vitamins. The term vitamin is not used for other classes of essential nutrients including dietary minerals, essential fatty acids or essential amino acids.The name was coined by the Polish biochemist Kazimierz Funk in 1912. Vita in Latin is life and the -amin suffix is short for amine; at the time it was thought that all vitamins were amines. Though this is now known to be incorrect, the name however has stuck.
1 Introduction
Vitamins were first recognised by the diseases that occur from a lack of certain foods; for example, the British Royal Navy's observation that limes were effective in preventing scurvy led to the discovery of vitamin C.
Vitamins can be divided in two groups by their solubility in water:
Water- soluble vitamins
- Ascorbic acid ( vitamin C)
- ThiamineThiamine or thiamin also known as vitamin B is a colorless compound with chemical formula. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. Thiamine decomposes if heated. Thiamine pyrophosphate TPP is a coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglu ( vitamin BVitamin B is a complex of several vitamins. The name arises because it was once considered a single vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Since later research has shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct vitamins that happen to often coex1)
- RiboflavinRiboflavin E101 , also known as vitamin B is an easily absorbed, water-soluble micronutrient with a key role in maintaining human health. Like the other B vitamins, it supports energy production by aiding in the metabolising of fats, carbohydrates, and pr ( vitamin BVitamin B is a complex of several vitamins. The name arises because it was once considered a single vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Since later research has shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct vitamins that happen to often coex2)
- NiacinNiacin also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell. The designation vitamin B3 also includes the amide form, nicotinamide or niacinamide or nicotinic acid or nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (also called vitamin P or PP for pellagra prevention)
- Pantothenic acidPantothenic acid also called vitamin B is an antioxidant water- soluble vitamin needed to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Pantothenic acid deficiency is very uncommon and more common with age. It is contained in whole grain cereals, legumes, ( vitamin BVitamin B is a complex of several vitamins. The name arises because it was once considered a single vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Since later research has shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct vitamins that happen to often coex5)
- Pyridoxine or pyridoxamine or pyridoxal ( vitamin B6)
- Inositol ( vitamin B8)
- Choline ( vitamin B11)
- Cobalamin ( vitamin B12)
- Pangamic Acid ( vitamin B15)
- Biotin ( vitamin H)
- Folic acid ( vitamin M)
Fat-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins may be stored in the body and can cause toxicity when taken in excess. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. Unlike food, water, and—for aerobic organisms—air, an organism can survive for some time without vitamins, although prolonged vitamin deficit results in a disease state.
