According to MedlinePlus, a service of the US National Library of Medicine, vitamins are substances that help your body grow. Vitamins A, C, D and E are essential in helping to promote a healthy lifestyle. Most of the vitamins you need can be obtained through foods. Each vitamin has its own separate function that helps your body in different ways.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed by your body to help repair and grow tissues. Also, vitamin C enhances the production of a protein called collagen that is essential in the creation of skin, scar tissue, blood vessels, cartilage and ligaments. Vitamin C helps heal wounds and maintain teeth and bones. Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin, helping to fight off free radicals. Low levels of vitamin C in your body may contribute to bleeding gums, dry and splitting hair, easy bruising and a severe form of vitamin C called scurvy.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and is used to help form teeth, soft tissue and skin. Vitamin A is mainly used by the body to ensure healthy vision by producing pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A may also be required by the body for reproduction and breast-feeding in women, according to MedlinePlus. A deficiency in this vitamin can result in vision problems. Vitamin A also helps keep your hair hydrated by assisting in the creation of a natural human oil called sebum.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and exists in eight different isomers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin E helps prevent or treat a number of different health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Vitamin E also aids in the production of red blood cells that help transfer oxygen from one cell to another.
