If you’re here then you’ve probably Google’d about: what are vitamins for in the body. This article aims to clear any doubts and questions you may have about this subject and we will do our best to do so.
Are You Getting What You Need?
Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.
What Are Vitamins?
A vitamin is an organic compound, which means that it contains carbon. It is also an essential nutrient that the body may need to get from food.
There are currently 13 recognized vitamins.
Fat-Soluble And Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins are either soluble, or dissolvable, in fat or water. Water-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for long and cannot be stored.
Vitamin C and all the B vitamins are water-soluble . Vitamin supplements Many people in the United States take multivitamins and other supplements, though these may not be necessary or helpful, according to research . A balanced, varied diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables should be the primary source of vitamins.
Anyone taking supplements should be careful not to exceed the maximum dose, as research shows that taking too much of any vitamin can lead to health problems. Various supplements are available for purchase online.
Function
There are 13 essential vitamins.
This means that these vitamins are required for the body to work properly. 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. The nine water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C and all the B vitamins.
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.