Vitamins

Vitamins Different Types

Vitamins are organic compounds or a list of essential micronutrients found in various types of food sources taken daily and necessary for the growth and good health of animals including humans. Among 13 vitamins found in the human body, four are fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) while nine are water-soluble (8 B vitamin and vitamin C). They are essential dietary factors but only necessary for very small amounts. In addition to oxygen, water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and certain inorganic salts, a vitamin is also necessary for our daily life. It cannot be produced by our body. Hence, we need to intake foods or supplements that contain such types of micronutrients. However, vitamin D may be supplied in food or may be produced in the skin by irradiation of ultraviolet-visible light from the sun.

A vitamin generally does not contain a single molecule but contains a group of related molecules. Therefore, they are called vitamers.

• For example, eight vitamers are found in vitamin E, four tocopherols, and four tocotrienols.
• In vitamin B₆, six related molecules are found

List of Essential Vitamins

A list of vitamin that we take daily has been generally classified into two types, fat-soluble and water-soluble. Among 13 vitamins found in the human body, four are fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) while nine are water-soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C).

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamin is an essential micronutrients soluble in fat and found in many plant and animal foods and dietary supplements. Therefore, they are absorbed along with fats in our diet and are stored in our body’s fatty tissue and the liver. The names of four water-soluble vitamins that are essential for our health may include:

1. Vitamin A (Retinol)
2. D (Cholecalciferol, Ergocalciferol)
3. E (Tocopherols, Tocotrienols)
4. K (Phylloquinone, Menaquinones)

Water Soluble Vitamins

The list or names of nine water-soluble vitamins you should take daily to maintain your good health may include:

1. Vitamin B₁ (thiamine)
2. Vitamin B₂ (riboflavin)
3. Vitamin B₃ (niacin)
4. Vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid)
5. Vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal)
6. Vitamin B₇ (biotin)
7. Vitamin B₉ (folates folic acid)
8. Vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin)
9. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

In this part of online learning chemistry, we study uses, dietary sources, biological functions, benefits, supplements, side effects, and many more in individual topics or articles related to vitamins.