List Of Vitamins & Their Purpose

Humans need an adequate variety of vitamins to maintain the good health for body and mind. You can ensure your body receives an adequate intake of vitamins by eating a variety of foods -- milk products, meat, fruits, vegetables and legumes -- and taking vitamin supplements. Each vitamin meets specific purposes for supporting body system functions.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a role in neutralizing free radicals, the compounds formed from environmental exposures and the breaking down of foods. As an antioxidant, it reduces the harmful effects induced by free radicals. Vitamin A also aids in building a strong immune system, healthy vision development, normal bone growth, reproduction and normal cellular activity.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, an antioxidant, helps maintain the health of the skin, bones and connective tissue development. It aids in iron absorption as well.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium absorption, which helps build stronger bones. It helps keep the immune system strong, and maintains healthy nerves and muscles.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, also an antioxidant, plays a role in maintaining the health of your immune system and enabling the normal processes of your metabolism.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K keeps bones strong by producing blood protein that helps regulate calcium in the blood. Vitamin K also produces blood-clotting proteins, which humans need to stop the bleeding that results from a small cut.

B-vitamins

B-vitamins perform a variety of functions in the body.

Vitamin B-6 assists in the breaking down of amino acids and formation of lipids. This B-vitamin also plays a role in the synthesis of red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 aids in the production of new cells. It also helps to maintain nerve cells.

Thiamine aids in the breaking down of sugar and amino acids that results in the formation of glucose. Thiamine also helps the normal function of your appetite and your nervous system.

Riboflavin plays a role in harnessing energy from sugar by breaking the compound down. It also aids in the maintenance of normal vision and healthy skin.

Niacin, similar to thiamin and riboflavin, aids in the breaking down of amino acids and sugar for energy. It plays a role in the maintenance of healthy skin, nervous tissue and digestive system as well.

Pantothenic acid plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Biotin aids in energy and amino acid metabolism, the synthesis of fat and glycogen, also known as starch. Biotin also plays a role in keeping the hair and fingernails healthy and strong.

Folate aids in the synthesis of new cells, one reason why this vitamin is so essential to a healthy pregnancy.