What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are small molecules that the body needs for executing certain reactions. The body cannot develop vitamin molecules. It receives nutrients from the food that you eat in your daily diet. The human body requires at least 13 different vitamins, which include vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin, D, vitamin E, vitamin K, pantothenic acid and biotin.

The body uses vitamins in a variety of ways. The role of vitamin A is to produce retinal. The eyes contain cones and rods and use retinal to sense light. The body cannot produce retinal and without vitamin A the lack of retinal can cause eyesight to deteriorate. Cells in the body produce different enzymes, which contain B vitamins within the structure.

Vitamin C is required for producing collagen. It is formed in special ribosomes within certain cells. The collagen is transferred from the cells to collagen networks. As collagen is formed, the body has to create hydroxylproline, which comes from the amino acid proline. Vitamin C is very essential to collagen. Signs of the body needing collagen are loose teeth and weak blood vessels. Teeth are secured into place by collagen. Vitamin C also boosts the body’s immune system.

Vitamins are necessary for normal body functioning. If you eat a healthy diet, then this is enough to get your daily vitamin requirement. Many people rely on taking vitamins because the body doesn’t always absorb the nutrients into the body from your diet. Health conscious people avoid taking heavy doses of vitamin supplements because it can cause serious health complications. The body is capable of storing some vitamins like vitamin A but others vitamins will have to be replenished frequently.