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Fat and Water Soluble Vitamins Most people do not even realize that vitamins are different, but they are. Besides the obvious letter difference, vitamins can be classified as either Fat Soluble or Water Soluble. Whether the vitamin is fat soluble or water soluble has to do with the way the body processes it. Should this difference matter to you? Well, yes and no.
Multivitamins - To Take or Not to Take As harmless as they might seem, much controversy surrounds the issue of vitamin supplementation. Generally speaking, taking a daily multivitamin supplement is safe and effective. In fact, doing so is much safer than developing symptoms of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Special Vitamin Needs for Children Eating a nutritionally-balanced diet is good advice for children as well as adults. In fact, teaching children to make the right food choices is one of the best tools you can arm them with. Unfortunately, many children today aren't taught how to make good food choices because their parents don't know what the 'right' food choices are.
Special Vitamin Needs for Seniors Being older does not necessarily mean being wiser when it comes to making the right food choices. You would think that by the time people reach their 'golden years' they would not only understand the importance of eating nutritionally-balanced meals. They'd be well-practiced in doing so.
Vitamin A and Carotenes Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, is crucial for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, to maintain clear vision and to maintain healthy skin. Working together, Vitamin A and carotenes, which are plant-based forms of fat-soluble Vitamin A, carry out many important functions.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Vitamin B1, a water-soluble vitamin also known as Thiamin, is an important part of the family of B-complex vitamins. The primary role this vitamin plays inside the body is in the conversion process of blood sugars into glucose. Vitamin B1 helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Vitamin B12 is a very important member of the family of B-vitamins. It is a complex, water-soluble vitamin that also contains cobalt, a metallic ion. Vitamin B12 is absorbed through the gastrointestinal system and interestingly, the liver is able to store adequate supplies of it, making deficiencies rare. However, those who have stomach problems that make absorption troublesome can end up with a deficiency even though they consume the right foods or get adequate supplies via supplementation.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin or Vitamin G, is a member of the B-complex family. Small amounts of this water soluble vitamin are in practically every type of plant and animal tissue. Vitamin B2 is responsible for several important bodily functions including assisting with the metabolization process of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Another important member of the B-complex family, Vitamin B3 facilitates the processes involved with metabolizing fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In addition, over 50 enzymes are able to function properly because of this one vitamin. Niacin, as it's also called, is one of the more stable vitamins and as such it is able to resist oxidation, heat and alkalies.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Vitamin B5 is part of the family of B-complex vitamins. Also called Pantothenic Acid, this one vitamin is used by literally all of the functions the body performs. Vitamin B5 is a water soluble vitamin and it's one that's in abundant supply.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Vitamin B6, also called Pyridoxine or Pyridoxal Phosphate, is the most quickly metabolized member of the B-vitamin family. It too is a water soluble vitamin. Because of its rapid metabolism and solubility, it travels throughout the body very quickly. So fast in fact that it takes only about 8 hours for this vitamin to pass completely through. It is therefore very important that this vitamin is replenished regularly.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Vitamin B9, more commonly referred to as Folic Acid, is a water-soluble member of the B-vitamin family. This vitamin is easily broken down during the cooking process so care must be taken during food preparation. Also, because it's water soluble, the body can hold on to only small quantities. Since it is constantly being lost during food preparation and via the urine stream, it is important to continually resupply Folic Acid.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) One of the more well-known vitamins is Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid. This water soluble vitamin plays a role in many important bodily functions. Since it is water soluble, that which the body does not use is constantly being passed through the body via the urine. While there are no known problems associated with an over-abundance of Vitamin C, it is a good idea to stick within recommended daily allowances.
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) Vitamin D, sometimes called Cholecalciferol, is the only vitamin that the body is capable of producing on its own. The only catch is that the body must be exposed to sunlight before it can produce this vitamin. It's not necessary to worship the sun to reap the vitamin-making benefits. An hour a week is generally enough. All of the body's other daily requirement of vitamins must come from the diet and/or via supplementation.
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) The fat soluble Vitamin E is actually a combination of chemical compounds that include alpha-tocopherol. All tissues in the body contain Vitamin E, but the largest quantities are located in the pituitary glands and the suprarenal glands. Since the body does not produce this vitamin, it must rely on the diet or supplementation for its recommended daily requirements.
Vitamin H (Biotin) As a member of the B-complex family of vitamins, Vitamin H is probably better known by its other names, Biotin and Vitamin B7. Vitamin H is a water soluble vitamin which means that the body passes what it does not use through the body via the urine. Unlike the other vitamins which the body gets from food, this vitamin is produced inside the body by bacteria that live in the large intestines. Since daily requirements are low, and since so many foods contain it, and since the body naturally produces it, Vitamin H deficiencies are rare.
Vitamin K (Phytonadione) Vitamin K is another of the fat soluble vitamins that actually has three forms: phytomenadione, menaquinane and menadione. These three similar compounds are commonly referred to as quinines. Vitamin K is another of the vitamins that the body is able to produce and does so using the bacteria found in the large intestines.
Vitamin P or Bioflavonoids (Phytochemicals) Vitamin P is a water soluble vitamin. It has a crystalline structure and yet it takes on the characteristics of a Bioflavonoid. In the case of Vitamin P, its main function is to keep blood vessels healthy. One way it accomplishes this task is by building up a capillary's ability to resist bleeding profusely. This helps keep capillaries strong and a stronger blood vessel system is better able to protect itself from disease and infection.
Vitamins and our Body Have you ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually precedes the term, 'vitamins'? The reason is simple. Vitamins as well as minerals ensure that our bodies function as they were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are, the body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead, it must rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.