Vitamins are vital nutrients, indispensable to perform various tasks within the human body in order to promote optimal health and prevent various diseases.
How do Vitamins work?
Although required in minimal quantities these vitamins cannot be synthesised by the human body. Hence, they rely on easily available animal and plant sources for replenishment. These vitamins in conjunction with other nutrients help break down proteins, thereby stabilising metabolism, enabling growth of cells, tissues, bones and promoting a healthy immune system. Since each vitamin is vital to perform a specific task, a shortage in any one of them may lead to a host of health problems in the human body.
Types of Vitamin:
Different Types of VitaminsThe thirteen different kinds of vitamins required for effective functioning of the human body may be classified into two categories namely water and fat-soluble vitamins. Of them, nine vitamins such as eight B complex, comprising of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folacin, B12 (cyanocobalamin), pantothenic acid, biotin and vitamin C, PABA, inositol and choline fall under the category of water soluble. The remaining four vitamins such as A, D, E and K Vitamins are all fat-soluble vitamins.
Water-soluble vitamins and their functions:
B complex Vitamins:
Except Vitamin C, the other eight B vitamins belonging to the water-soluble group form the B complex family. All these vitamins act together and perform various processes in the body to ensure verve and vigour.
Functions/uses of vitamin B complex:
· They is imperative for promoting healthy nervous system.
· Vitamins B12, B6 and B1 are compulsory for effective functioning of the brain.
· Vitamin B5 is fundamental for the production of particular hormones enabling proper functioning of the adrenal glands.
· aid proper digestion and assist in manufacturing Hydrochloric acid, which in turn helps in the metabolic process of breaking down