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Vitamin Benefits
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Vitamin benefits are varied and impart different health properties to humans and other multi-celled organisms.
Vitamins are organic compounds that are needed as nutrients in small amounts for the normal growth, development and functioning of the bodies of multi-celled organisms. Vitamins are required as early as the moment of conception for a fetus to develop its bones, muscles and tissues. Serious defects often arise if the amount of vitamins absorbed is deficient, and these defects typically affect people throughout their lives. |
 Vitamins have different biochemical functions and as such, impart diverse health benefits. They can either act as antioxidants (like Vitamin C and E), as hormones (like Vitamin D), or as catalysts and facilitators of the metabolism process (like Vitamin B complex).
Vitamins can be found naturally from plants and animals. Prior to the 20th century, people got their vitamin requirements exclusively from the food they eat. As such, seasonal variations in growing and raising food stock led to imbalanced vitamin intake that ultimately resulted in many diseases. Advances in the medical field have allowed people in the modern era to supplement their dietary intake with vitamins offered as commodity chemicals. These are taken as pills or capsules often after meals. This has resulted in a more balanced vitamin intake for more people the whole year round.
Vitamins can either be water-soluble or fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water, and in general, are readily excreted from the body. These include Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. Fat-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are led to the intestinal tract via lipids and are more likely to accumulate inside the body. These are Vitamin A, D, E and K.
The vitamins, their chemical names, and some of their health benefits are listed below:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) - helps in fighting scurvy and treating various diseases and disorders Vitamin D (Calciferol) - helps in fighting rickets and certain arterial diseases Vitamin E (Tocopherol) - has antioxidant properties that help fight cancer, cardiovascular and many other diseases Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) - aids in blood clotting and strengthening bone
Meanwhile, the intake of excessive quantities of vitamin can cause poisoning, and may manifest itself through nausea, diarrhea and vomiting among others. Vitamins A and D are the most common vitamins overdosed on. Due to the potential for vitamin poisoning, most common vitamins have a recommended upper daily intake amounts.
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