Vitamins are tiny organic compounds that come from plant and animal matter. Your body can't produce most of the vitamins it needs on its own, so they must come from your food intake. Vitamins keep you in optimum health and they are necessary for your body's most essential functions, right down to the formation of your cells.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A promotes the formation of the nerve cells in your eyes that process light. It also helps maintain the health of the mucous membranes cells that line your lungs, intestine and urinary tract, and supports reproduction, skin health and bone formation and growth. Vitamin A helps form and differentiate white blood cells, which defend your body against invasive pathogens. In retinol form, vitamin A is an antioxidant. When your body metabolizes food into energy, oxidation occurs. This oxidation forms free radicals, which can damage and age your body's cells. Antioxidants neutralize these antioxidants.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is essential for your body's health. Without vitamin C, your body can't make collagen, a main building block of your bones, ligaments, blood vessels, tendons and bones. Vitamin C helps synthesize norepinephrine, an important neurotransmitter and stress hormone. It makes it easier for your body to absorb iron, an essential mineral, and to heal wounds and burns. In addition, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be synthesized from the sunlight that hits your skin, or obtained through food. Vitamin D regulates calcium levels, which supports bone growth and development and proper nervous system function. It also modulates your immune system and helps prevent autoimmune diseases. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, evidence suggests that vitamin D may help regulate insulin secretions and blood pressure, and may prevent some forms of hypertension.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E mainly functions as an antioxidant, specifically preventing oxidation damage of fat and lipid cells. This is especially important when it comes to the lipid cholesterol, as oxidation damage of cholesterol cells has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K mainly functions as a blood clotting agent. Together with a specialized enzyme, Vitamin K catalyzes, or triggers the chemical reaction of seven different proteins necessary for the coagulation of blood.
Vitamin B Groups
B vitamins include riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, or vitamin B6, biotin, folic acid and vitamin B12. B vitamins help metabolize carbohydrates and fatty acids. Some, such as thiamine, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, promote normal nerve function and help build red blood cells. Folic acid synthesizes DNA and RNA and is required for the formation of an unborn baby's central nervous system.
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