While you don't always get all of the vitamins and minerals you need, taking a supplement may fill in the gaps left by an inadequate diet. Vitamins are classified as organic substances or compounds that are needed by your body to carry out digestion, metabolism, hormone production and a list of other processes. Precursors are forms of vitamins or compounds that the body chemically changes to an active form of vitamin that the body can better utilize. Fat-soluble vitamins are in foods containing fats and are stored in the body, while water-soluble vitamins are not.
Characteristics of Vitamins
Vitamins do not contain calories, so they essentially provide no readily available energy for your body. However, vitamins are essential in providing a form of indirect energy, because they chemically extract energy-producing substances from carbohydrates, protein and fat. Without vitamins, your body can't absorb and utilize all of the nutrients found in foods you eat.
Vitamin A
This essential vitamin maintains the health of your eyes and vision. Vitamin A also promotes healthy surface lining of your lungs and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. This vitamin also promotes normal reproduction as well as growth and development of your bones and teeth. To help your body fight off infection, vitamin A regulates your immune system.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is crucial in the formation of a protein-based substance called collagen that supports the bones, teeth, skin cartilage and blood vessels. Vitamin C, which is a water-soluble vitamin, enables your body to heal itself. This vitamin is also beneficial in the production of various hormones such as thyroxin, which helps to regulate your metabolic rate. Vitamin C is also beneficial in preventing the oxidation of iron in your intestinal tract so the iron can be absorbed and used by your body.
Vitamin D
One of the major functions of this vitamin is to maintain a normal level of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. Vitamin D also helps your bones to stay healthy by promoting the absorption of calcium within the bone cells. This vitamin works with several other vitamins and minerals, as well as hormones to promote bone mineralization. Without vitamin D, your bones may become brittle and disfigured.
Vitamin E
This vitamin functions as an antioxidant, primarily in the cell membrane and other parts of cells. Antioxidants protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which can cause irreversible cell damage that may result in cancer and other diseases. An adequate intake of vitamin E is essential in protecting your lungs, red blood cells and your brain.
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