Micronutrients: Vitamin B Vitamin
Mariam Haider
Micronutrients
Vitamins
Written Task
Design Brief;
Foods are not ‘pure’ substances. Although referred to as protein foods, or carbohydrate foods, this only recognized the food to be high in a particular nutrient. In fact, foods are mixtures of different nutrients and other chemical substances such as toxins, pigments and additives. Protein, carbohydrates and fat are regarded as macronutrients due to the size of their molecules. These nutrients are needed in large quantities in the body to enable the body to function properly. Vitamins and minerals are required in lesser amounts but are equally necessary and must be obtained from the food consumed. These are known as micronutrients.
The term ‘vitamin’ was derived from ‘vitamine’, a combination word made up by a Polish scientist, Casimir Funk, from vital and amine meaning amine of life, because it was suggested in 1912 that the organic micronutrient food factors that prevent beriberi and perhaps other similar dietary-deficiency diseases might be chemical amines. This proved incorrect for the micronutrient class, and was shortened to vitamin.
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts. It is essential for our body to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins because our body is not able to make the vitamin; therefore it is required to be obtained from the diet.
The value of eating foods that helped maintain healthy was recognised long before vitamins were identified. Gradually people recognised the value of foods that were vitamin-rich, yet at that time they were not able to identify the actual vitamins.
The ancient Egyptians knew that giving liver to a patient would help prevent night blindness, an illness which was later discovered to be caused by a vitamin A deficiency.
The ocean voyages during the Renaissance made it hard to access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which made illnesses common among ship crews from lack of vitamins.
In 1749, a Scottish
Micronutrients
Vitamins
Written Task
Design Brief;
Foods are not ‘pure’ substances. Although referred to as protein foods, or carbohydrate foods, this only recognized the food to be high in a particular nutrient. In fact, foods are mixtures of different nutrients and other chemical substances such as toxins, pigments and additives. Protein, carbohydrates and fat are regarded as macronutrients due to the size of their molecules. These nutrients are needed in large quantities in the body to enable the body to function properly. Vitamins and minerals are required in lesser amounts but are equally necessary and must be obtained from the food consumed. These are known as micronutrients.
The term ‘vitamin’ was derived from ‘vitamine’, a combination word made up by a Polish scientist, Casimir Funk, from vital and amine meaning amine of life, because it was suggested in 1912 that the organic micronutrient food factors that prevent beriberi and perhaps other similar dietary-deficiency diseases might be chemical amines. This proved incorrect for the micronutrient class, and was shortened to vitamin.
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts. It is essential for our body to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins because our body is not able to make the vitamin; therefore it is required to be obtained from the diet.
The value of eating foods that helped maintain healthy was recognised long before vitamins were identified. Gradually people recognised the value of foods that were vitamin-rich, yet at that time they were not able to identify the actual vitamins.
The ancient Egyptians knew that giving liver to a patient would help prevent night blindness, an illness which was later discovered to be caused by a vitamin A deficiency.
The ocean voyages during the Renaissance made it hard to access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which made illnesses common among ship crews from lack of vitamins.
In 1749, a Scottish
Bibliography: http://www.livestrong.com/article/331691-vitamin-diet-plans/ (visited on 20th May 2011) http://www.dietihub.com/how-vitamin-rich-foods-can-help-to-you-live-a-healthier-life/ (visited on 20th May 2011) http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vitamins.htm (visited on 21st May 2011) http://vitaminstores.4reviews.net/recommended_daily_allowance.htm (visited on 31st May 2011) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Final%20NUTTAB%202006%20Food%20Composition%20Tables%20-%20May%202007.pdf (visited on 2nd June 2011)