Are You Getting What You Need?
There is a fine line between getting enough of these nutrients (which is healthy) and getting too much (which can end up harming you). Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.
Function
There are 13 essential vitamins.
This means that these vitamins are required for the body to work properly. They are:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Biotin (B7)
Folate (folic acid or B9)
Vitamins are grouped into two categories:
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s liver, fatty tissue, and muscles. The four fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are absorbed more easily by the body in the presence of dietary fat.
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. Any leftover or excess amounts of these leave the body through the urine. They have to be consumed on a regular basis to prevent shortages or deficiencies in the body.
The exception to this is vitamin B12, which can be stored in the liver for many years.
What Are Vitamins?
There are currently 13 recognized vitamins.
Fat-Soluble And Water-Soluble Vitamins
We describe both types below: Fat-soluble vitamins Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.
The body stores fat-soluble vitamins in fatty tissue and the liver, and reserves of these vitamins can stay in the body for days and sometimes months. Water-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for long and cannot be stored. Because of this, people need a more regular supply of water-soluble vitamins than fat-soluble ones.
Vitamin C and all the B vitamins are water-soluble . The Department of Health and Human Services provide up-to-date guidelines detailing the best ways to get enough nutrients from the diet. Fortified foods and supplements may be appropriate in some cases, however, such as during pregnancy, for people with restricted diets, and for people with specific health issues.
Overall, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before trying any supplement.