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Vitamins are essential nutrients required for normal cell functioning, growth, and development. They are required in small quantities by the human body.
- Vitamins are classified based on their solubility into two types namely Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Water-Soluble Vitamins.
- Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E perform various biological functions in our bodies.
- Vitamins A, D, and E are fat-soluble vitamins while Vitamins B and C are water-soluble vitamins.
- Fruits and green leafy vegetables are foods that are high in vitamins.
Deficiency of vitamins can lead to various deficiency diseases like digestive disorders, night blindness, rickets, etc. Vitamins cannot be synthesized by our bodies, thus, they must be taken from the food we consume, or in extreme cases supplements are also used to keep the body healthy.
Read More: Vitamins and Minerals
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Fat Soluble Vitamins, Water Soluble Vitamins
What are Vitamins?
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Vitamins are natural and essential nutrients required by our bodies in small quantities.
- They are essential for the normal functioning, growth and development, and repair of the human body.
- The human body depends on vitamins in order to gain strength, improve metabolism, and ensure stronger physical and mental health.
- Essential vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E.
- Vitamins are not synthesized by the body on their own.
- Hence, we need to consume certain food items that are rich in certain essential vitamins.
Sources of Vitamins
Read More:
| Relevant Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Difference Between Micronutrients and Macronutrients | Mineral Nutrition | Balanced Diet |
| Food Deficiency | Essential Mineral Elements | Difference Between Vitamins and Minerals |
Classification of Vitamins
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Vitamins are either soluble in water or in fats. They are therefore classified into two types which are as follows:
- Fat Soluble Vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. These types of vitamins are soluble in fats and oil but insoluble in water. They are collected in the liver and adipose tissues.
- Water Soluble Vitamins: Water soluble vitamins include vitamins B and C. These types of vitamins are generally excreted through the body by urine as they cannot be stored. Hence, the intake of water-soluble vitamins should be regular.
Read More: Difference between Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins
Types of Vitamins
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Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E are the five essential vitamins that are necessary for the regular functioning and growth of the human body.
Vitamin A
- Vitamin A is majorly found in food items such as fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
- It defends against disease-causing microorganisms by providing immunity to fight diseases.
- As a component of rhodopsin, Vitamin A aids in maintaining a clean cornea.
- It also aids in cell differentiation as retinoic acid and normal growth in the form of retinol.
Vitamin B
- Vitamin B exists in various other forms, out of which B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 are supplied through food into the body.
- Vitamin B1 is required in several metabolic reactions in the form of a coenzyme component.
- Vitamin B2 helps in the process of breaking down drugs, fats, and steroid hormones.
- Vitamin B3 aids the regular functioning of the skin, the nervous system, and the intestinal tract.
- Vitamin B6 is water-soluble and vital for the metabolism, synthesis of lipids, and for iron utilization in RBC.
- Vitamin B12 is also water-soluble and is necessary for DNA synthesis and in growth and cell division.
Vitamin C
- Vitamin C is a water-soluble essential vitamin that is present in citrus fruits such as oranges, and kiwi and in vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers.
- It is crucial in the process of collagen synthesis and it acts as a powerful antioxidant.
- Vitamin C has an enzymatic function in various biochemical functions of the human body.
Types of Vitamins
Vitamin D
- Vitamin D is an important vitamin required in order to improve the strength of bones.
- The main source of vitamin D is the sun.
- It is essential to carry out metabolic processes with hormones like parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
- Vitamin D also helps in the absorption of calcium.
Vitamin E
- Vitamin E is supplied to the body through food items such as vegetable oil, almonds, nuts, and seeds.
- It is a fat-soluble vitamin.
- Vitamin E aids in delaying aging and balances immunity by helping in the functioning of T-cells.
- It also reduces the risk of heart disease by reducing free radical damage.
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| Related Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Names for Vitamins | Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Vitamin A Deficiency |
| Nutrition In Human Beings | Amino Acids | Nutrient Management |
Functions of Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E
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The important functions performed by Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E are as follows:
| Type of Vitamin | Functions | Sources |
|---|---|---|
Vitamin A | Provides immunity to fight against diseases. | Fish, Eggs, Dairy products, and Green leafy vegetables |
| Develop and maintains teeth, skeletal system, and soft tissues. | ||
| Reduces the risk of cancer with the help of Beta carotene. | ||
Vitamin B | Crucial for the healthy functioning of brain and proper muscle toning. | Seafood, eggs, cereals, yeast, milk, and green leafy vegetables |
| Required for the development of RBCs (red blood cells). | ||
| Produces hormones and cholesterol. | ||
Vitamin C | Helps in the wound-healing process. | Citrus fruits like oranges, kiwis, Bell peppers, and Tomatoes |
| Necessary for the growth and development of tissues. | ||
| Maintains teeth and cartilage. | ||
| Aids the process of absorption of iron. | ||
| Vitamin D | Necessary to sustain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. | Exposure to sunlight, fish, and eggs |
| Required for the development of bones. | ||
| Necessary for mineral homeostasis. | ||
Vitamin E | Strengthens the immune system. | Vegetable oils, sunflower oil, Almonds, peanut, and pumpkin |
| Works as powerful antioxidant. | ||
| Crucial in order to carry out cellular functions. | ||
| Guards the cells against free radicals. |
Things to Remember
- Vitamins are essential micronutrients required by an organism in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism.
- Vitamins A, D, and E are fats-soluble vitamins and vitamins B and C are water-soluble vitamins.
- Vitamin A helps to form and maintain healthy teeth, soft tissue, bones, mucous membranes, and skin.
- Vitamin B helps to convert food into energy.
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Vitamin D helps to maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
- Vitamin E helps the body to form red blood cells and use Vitamin K.
Previous Years’ Questions
- An example of water-soluble vitamins is… (Rajasthan PMT 2010)
- The incorrect statement regarding vitamins is… (AFMC 2001)
- Which of the following is not a water-soluble vitamin… (JIPMER 1997)
- Vitamin A is called… (KEAM)
- Vitamin B is also called… (AIIMS 2010)
- Vitamin B is produced directly during the course of fermentation… (AFMC 1986)
- What is the chemical name of the vitamin B12… (GUJCET 2008)
- Richest source of vitamins C is… (JIPMER 2000)
- Vitamin C helps in the absorption of…
- The night blindness is developed due to a shortage of… (MP PMT 2010)
Sample Questions
Ques. What are Essential Vitamins? (2 Marks)
Ans. Essential vitamins are naturally present in the food we eat. Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E are all types of essential vitamins. These vitamins play an important role in the everyday functioning, growth, and repair of the human body. Certain food items are rich in certain vitamins. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and direct sunlight are all sources of essential vitamins.
Ques. What are fat-soluble vitamins? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamins are crucial for strengthening the body, balancing metabolism, and providing immunity to the body. Vitamins are divided into two categories namely water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Following are the properties of fat-soluble vitamins-
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K are among the fat-soluble vitamins.
- These vitamins are soluble in fats and oils but insoluble in water.
- They are gathered in the liver and adipose (fat storage) tissues.
Ques. What are sources of vitamin A? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamin A provides the human body immunity to fight against diseases. Lack of vitamin A can cause Xerophthalmia (hardening of the cornea of the eye) and night blindness. Sources of vitamin A are-
- Fish
- Eggs
- Meat
- Dairy products like milk and yogurt
- Fruits and vegetables.
Ques. What deficiency disease is caused due to lack of Vitamin C? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamin C is one of the important essential vitamins, it acts as a strong antioxidant, aids the wound-healing process, and looks after teeth and cartilage. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges and kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, etc. Lack of vitamin C can cause deficiency diseases like scurvy which is bleeding of the gums.
Ques. What are the functions of Vitamin K? (3 Marks)
Ans. The human body produces vitamin K, a vital vitamin, on its own. Soybean and canola oil, as well as green leafy vegetables, can all help to supply the body with vitamin K. It balances the blood clotting time and helps in the wound healing process. Lack of vitamin K can lead to significant bleeding, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Ques. Explain the deficiency diseases caused by the lack of vitamin B. (5 Marks)
Ans. Vitamin B is present in foods such as eggs, cereal, yeast, milk, green leafy vegetables, etc. It is essential for proper brain functioning, the production of RBCs (red blood cells), and hormones. Vitamin B group has other various types of vitamins including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12. Lack of vitamin B can cause deficiency diseases like
- Lack of vitamin B1 can cause Beri Beri (loss of appetite and retarded growth).
- Lack of vitamin B2 can cause Cheilosis (fissuring at corners of mouth and lips), digestive disorders, and a burning sensation in the skin.
- Lack of vitamin B6 can cause convulsions.
- Lack of vitamin B12 can cause Pernicious anemia.
Ques. What causes Rickets and Osteomalacia? (3 Marks)
Ans. Rickets is a condition where, children experience bone pain, poor growth, and soft, weak bones that can lead to bone deformities. When adults experience the same issues, it is termed osteomalacia. Both these conditions are a result of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D balances the level of calcium and phosphorous in the human body and aids the development of bones. Hence, rickets and osteomalacia are caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Ques. Why should the intake of water-soluble vitamins be regular? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamins are classified based on their solubility in water and fats.
- Water soluble vitamins include B and C.
- These types of vitamins cannot be stored in the body and they are excreted out of the body through urine.
- Therefore, the intake of water-soluble vitamins must be regular.
Ques. What is another name for Vitamin B1 and vitamin B2? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamin B1 and B2 are the types of vitamin B.
- Water-soluble vitamin B1 (thiamine), sometimes known as vitamin B1, can be obtained as a dietary supplement or naturally in some foods. The development and operation of different cells depend heavily on thiamin.
- Vitamin B2 sometimes referred to as riboflavin, is a nutrient that is present in food and is also offered as a nutritional supplement. Riboflavin is a crucial part of coenzymes that are involved in cell growth, and the breakdown of lipids, steroids, and medicines.
Ques. Which vitamin helps in reducing the risk of heart disease? (3 Marks)
Ans. Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant and strengthens the immune system in order to fight diseases.
- Consumption of foods rich in vitamin E has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease.
- It guards your cells against oxidative damage by eliminating dangerous chemicals called free radicals.
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