Biology

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients your body needs in small amounts for various roles in the human body. Vitamins are divided into two groups: water-soluble (B-complex and C) and fat-soluble (A, D, E and K). Unlike water-soluble vitamins that need regular replacement in the body, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, and are eliminated much more slowly than water-soluble vitamins.



History of Vitamins

In 1912, the Polish-American biochemist Casimir Funk, while researching deficiency diseases, developed the concept of vitamins to refer to the non-mineral micro-nutrients which are essential to health. The name is a portmanteau of "vital", due to the vital role they play biochemically, and "amines" because Funk thought that all these materials were chemical amines. One of the "vitamines" was thought to be the anti-scorbutic factor, long thought to be a component of most fresh plant material.


1) Vitamin A was discovered by

V. McCollum and M. Davis during 1912–1914. In 1913

2) Vitamin B was discovered by

Elmer V. McCollum discovered sometimes around 1915–1916

3) Vitamin B1 was discovered by

Casimir Funk discovered in 1912.

4) Vitamin B2 was discovered by

D. T. Smith, E. G. Hendrick discovered B2 in 1926.
5) Max Tishler invented methods for synthesizing the essential vitamin B2.

6) Niacin was discovered by
Conrad Elvehjem discovered in 1937.

7) Folic acid was discovered by
Lucy Wills discovered in 1933.

8) B6 was discovered by
Paul Gyorgy discovered in 1934.
9) Vitamin C was discovered by
James Lind 1747

It was rediscovered by Norwegians, A. Hoist and T. Froelich in 1912. Vitamin C was the first vitamin to be artificially synthesized in 1935. A process invented by Dr. Tadeusz Reichstein, of the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich.

10) Vitamin D was discovered by
Edward Mellanby, discovered Vitamin D in 1922 while researching a disease called rickets.

11) Vitamin E was discovered by

Herbert Evans and Katherine Bishop discovered vitamin E in green leafy vegetables. In 1922, University of California researchers

12) Which are water soluble vitamins
B & C

13) Fat souble vitamins
A, D, E, K

Common facts about vitamins

Small amounts of vitamins A, D, E and K are needed to maintain good health.
Foods that contain these vitamins will not lose them when cooked.
The body does not need these every day and stores them in the liver when not used.
Most people do not need vitamin supplements.
Mega doses of vitamins A, D, E or K can be toxic and lead to health problems.

Because fat-soluble vitamins are stored for long periods, they generally pose a greater risk for toxicity than water-soluble vitamins when consumed in excess. Eating a normal, well-balanced diet will not lead to toxicity in otherwise healthy individuals. However, taking vitamin supplements that contain mega doses of vitamins A, D, E and K may lead to toxicity. Remember, the body only needs small amounts of any vitamin.

While diseases caused by a lack of fat-soluble vitamins are rare in the United States, symptoms of mild deficiency can develop without adequate amounts of vitamins in the diet. Additionally, some health problems may decrease the absorption of fat, and in turn, decrease the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Consult your doctor about this.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also called retinol, has many functions in the body. In addition to helping the eyes adjust to light changes, vitamin A plays an important role in bone growth, tooth development, reproduction, cell division and gene expression. Also, the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs depend on vitamin A to remain moist.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a critical role in the body’s use of calcium and phosphorous. It increases the amount of calcium absorbed from the small intestine and helps form and maintain bones. Children especially need adequate amounts of vitamin D to develop strong bones and healthy teeth.


Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting vitamins A and C, red blood cells and essential fatty acids from destruction. Research from a decade ago suggested that taking antioxidant supplements, vitamin E in particular, might help prevent heart disease and cancer. However, newer findings indicate that people who take antioxidant supplements are not better protected against heart disease and cancer than non-supplement users. On the other hand, there are many studies that show a link between regularly eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and a lower risk for heart disease, cancer and several other diseases.

Vitamin K

Naturally produced by the bacteria in the intestines, vitamin K plays an essential role in normal blood clotting and helps promote bone health.

Good food sources of vitamin K are green vegetables such as turnip greens, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, and certain vegetables oils including soybean oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil and olive oil. Animal foods, in general, contain limited amounts of vitamin K.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)- deficiency causes beri beri

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)- deficiency causes ariboflavinosis

Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) deficiency causes –
pellagra - leads to dementia

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - Deficiency can result in acne and paresthesia

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine) - Deficiency may lead to
anemia, depression, dermatitis, high blood pressure

Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H - Deficiency does not typically cause
symptoms in adults but may lead to impaired growth and neurological
disorders in infants.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M - Deficiency results in a macrocytic anemia
Deficiency in pregnant women can lead to birth defects

Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin
supplements) - Deficiency causes macrocytic anemia, elevated homocysteine, peripheral neuropathy, memory loss and other cognitive deficits


Vitamin 17 is a new vitamin which have the anti cancer property - A substance found in a number of seeds, sprouts, beans, tubers and grains. While toxic in large quantities

Vitamin C

Facts about vitamins
Vitamin C is commonly called as Ascorbic Acid. The bitter taste of Amla is due to Ascorbic Acid
The Vitamin which looses due to heating is vitamin C

Vitamin which does not present in Milk is Vitamin C

Vitamin which helps to maintaining proper health of skin is Vitamin C

Vitamin discharged through urine is Vitamin C

Deficiency of Vitamin C causes Scurvy

Vitamin C is abundantly present in citrus fruits

Vitamin D



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