Vitamins: what are they and what are they good for ?
Human beings cannot survive without
vitamins. We need them to obtain our energy level, to grow and develop properly. The
food we eat contains most of the vitamins we need. A few vitamins are obtained otherwise though. Micro-organisms in the intestine produce vitamin K and biotin, while a form of vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the help of natural ultraviolet sunlight.
What are they ?
Vitamins are a group of substances that are essential for normal
metabolism,
growth and
development. They also take care of the regulation of
cell function. Vitamins work together with other substances such as enzymes and co-factors necessary for a healthy life.
What are they good for ?
Generally vitamins are meant to keep us
healthy. However, each vitamin has a function of its own.
Vitamin A helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, skin and mucous membranes. It may also be required for breast-feeding.
Vitamin C helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, absorb iron and maintain normal connective tissue. In addition to this it helps wound healing and is an antioxidant.
Vitamin D is produced by the body after being exposed to sunshine. It helps the body to absorb calcium and maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, necessary minerals.
Vitamin K is a clotting vitamin because it makes sure the blood won’t coagulate.
