Vitamin A, also known as retinoids, is needed for growth and for strong teeth and bones. With age, it helps keep your skin and eyes healthy. Vitamin A is present in liver, dairy products, fish liver oils, dark green and yellow-orange vegetables, and in fruits. Too much vitamin A may cause symptoms that include itchy skin, headache, and hair loss.
Vitamin B1, aslo known as thiamine, is a coenzyme that helps the body produce energy, is involved in glucose, amino acid, and alcohol metabolism, and is required for the proper functioning of the nervous system, heart, and muscles. Deficiency of thiamine leads to the disease beriberi, a disease affecting the heart and nervous system.
Vitamin B6 is a coenzyme involved in amino acid metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. It is also necessary for the nervous system and immune system. Deficiency of vitamin B6 has been implicated in a wide variety of clinical conditions including inflammation of the skin and mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and anemia.
Vitamin B9, aslo known as Folic acid, is a vitamin that our bodies uses to make new cells. This important nutrient also plays a significant role in making red blood cells, making DNA, energy level, muscle strength and memory it also aids in the diagnosis of central nervous system disorders and anemia.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of normal red blood cells, nerve function, and tissue and cellular repair. It is not produced in the human body, but rather ingested when consuming foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs and fortified products such as certain breakfast cereals and breads. Deficiencies can be caused by malabsorption (when a disease or other condition interferes with the absorption process) or insufficient dietary intake, although this is unusual in the United States due to the number of food items that have added B12. Vegans and those who do not consume animal products may be more prone to deficiencies.
Vitamin C is a cofactor for protocollagen hydroxylase; it promotes the conversion of tropocollagen to collagen. Low values occur in malabsorption, alcoholism, scurvy, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, and renal failure. Aids in several metabolic reactions and is therefore extremely important for digestion. It is an important antioxidant as well. Along with that, it helps in the formation of collagen which is a principal protein that structures the bones, muscles, cartilages and blood vessels. It aids in the maintenance of teeth, bones and capillaries and advances the absorption of iron. It also helps in maintaining healthy body tissues and a strong immune system. Having a high content of vitamin C leads to healthy gums. It improves vision and is extremely effective in healing wounds and burns. It also reduces the effects of sun exposure and decreases the blood sugar of people suffering from diabetes.
Vitamin D, 25 Hydroxy is essential in the growth and formation of healthy bones and teeth. Without it, children can develop a bone-malformation condition known as rickets, and adults can develop osteomalacia, which is characterized by weakness, softness or fractures of the bones. Vitamin D also helps regulate levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the blood, and has been shown to influence the growth of other tissues in the body as well as the regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in the development of conditions such as cancer, heart disease‚ osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin E plays a protective and restorative part in several body functions. It protects the body cells from oxidative damage and improves overall health of a person. Deficiency of vitamin E may cause extensive neuropathy in young children and, in addition, is suspect as a possible cause of motor and sensory neuropathy in older children and in adults. One likely cause of vitamin E deficiency is intestinal malabsorption, resulting from bowel disease, pancreatic disease, or chronic cholestasis. Other causes of malabsorption of vitamin E include celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Vitamin K1 is produced by bacteria present in our large intestine. It is essential in the formation of coagulation factors, which are substances that help the blood form clots to prevent excessive bleeding. It is also believed to play a role in preventing bone loss. Vitamin K deficiency can result in excessive bleeding and bruising.
