Vitamins: Definition, Types, Sources, and Scientific Names

Vitamins are organic, necessary nutrients that are important for human growth and development. The appropriate amount of vitamins must be present in our bodies for healthy development, strong bones, and optimal growth. These vitamins are organic chemicals that act in groups to maintain the regular and efficient operation of our bodily cells.

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What are Vitamins?

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A vitamin is an organic compound that is an essential part of the human diet. There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The body needs both types to function properly.

Vitamins are found in many different foods, and most people get all the vitamins they need from their diet. However, some people may need to take supplements to make sure they are getting enough. They can’t be synthesized in our body and therefore need to take from outsourcing.

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Types of Vitamins

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Vitamins are classified into two different groups: There are two types of vitamins

• Water-Soluble
• Fat-soluble.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

The water-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the body into the blood and then transported to the tissues. These vitamins are not stored in the body, so they must be consumed on a regular basis. B vitamins and vitamin C are examples of water-soluble vitamins.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

The fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body through the intestine and then transported to the liver. These vitamins are stored in the body and can be used as needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are examples of fat-soluble vitamins. These are present in the liver, fatty meat, butter, yolks, vegetable seeds oils, etc. These function as co-enzymes and are required in normal metabolism.

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Sources of Vitamins

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Vitamins are essential components for human health and function. They assist the immune system in fighting off infections and keeping the skin, eyes, and bones healthy. Unlike other nutrients, the human body cannot make most vitamins on its own, therefore it must obtain them through diet. Different foods contain different vitamins, therefore eating a range of fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products is critical to ensuring that the body receives all the vitamins it requires.

Fat-soluble vitamins Sources

• Vitamin A: Found in potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, beef, eggs, fortified milk, and other dairy products.
• Vitamin D: Is found in fortified milk, fatty fish, and other dairy products.
• Vitamin E: Found in leafy green vegetables, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils.
• Vitamin K: Found in vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, cabbage, eggs, and milk.

Water-soluble vitamins Sources

• Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges and grapefruits, potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes.
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Found in pork chops, ham, enriched grains, seeds, fresh fruits, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Found in whole grains, enriched grains, dairy products, bananas, dates, and mushrooms.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Found in fish, poultry, mushrooms, whole grains, and meat.
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Found in chicken, broccoli, legumes, and whole grains.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Found in fortified cereals, soy products, meat, fish, poultry, legumes, and bananas.
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin): Found in many fruits, meats, whole grains, eggs, and soybeans.
• Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid): Found in leafy vegetables, fortified grains and cereals, asparagus, and orange juice.
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Found in fish, poultry, meat, dairy products, fortified soymilk, and cereals.

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Scientific Names of Vitamin

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Different vitamin types, what are their sources, their biological functions, and their scientific name are mentioned in the below-tabulated form.

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Types of Vitamin Deficiency

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The several types of Vitamin Deficiency are listed below:

Fat-soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A: The first fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin A, was discovered in 1913. In the liver, beta-carotene is changed into vitamin A. It protects the eyes in case of infections and contributes to vision in dim light. Vitamin A combines with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin in the retinal rod cells. Deficiency Vitamin A deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Infectious-disease-pneumonia ,measles
• Keratinization-dry, rough, scaly skin
• Night blindness
• decayed teeth

Vitamin D: The most well-known benefit of vitamin D is its ability to regulate blood phosphorus and calcium levels. Numerous versions of this anti-rachitic vitamin are available. At least 10 pro-vitamin D are known, and four crystalline D vitamins have been extracted. The majority of vitamin D for humans is obtained from animal foods or is produced after sun exposure. Deficiency Vitamin D deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Rickets in children
• Osteomalacia in adults
• Muscle spasms

Vitamin E: A natural antioxidant and anti-sterility agent, vitamin E. Tocopherols or tocotrienols are names for vitamin E that are structurally similar. It contributes to immunity and the healing of wounds. Deficiency Vitamin E deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Muscular dystrophy
• Neurological dysfunction
• Red blood cell breakage

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is the coenzyme in the carboxylation of glutamic acid to form an e-carboxyglutamic acid reaction, which is essential to the proteins involved in blood coagulation. Deficiency Vitamin K deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Increased blood
• Clotting time
• Hemorrhagic diseases

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin B1: The water-soluble vitamin thiamin, often known as vitamin B1, is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and branched-chain amino acids. Foods including enriched and whole grains, beans, and pork contain thiamin. Deficiency Vitamin B1 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Beri-Beri (peripheral nerve damage)
• Paralysis
• muscular atrophy.
• Weight loss

Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, often known as riboflavin, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that functions as a coenzyme in redox processes. Food sources include whole and enriched cereals, milk, and dairy products all contain riboflavin. Deficiency Vitamin B2 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Skin rashes
• Sensitivity to light
• Sore throat
• Itching and irritation of lips, eyes, skin
• mucous membranes

Vitamin B3: Niacin, often known as vitamin B3, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that is both a coenzyme for the transfer of the hydride ion by dehydrogenase enzymes and a crucial part of the electron carriers NAD and NADP. Deficiency Vitamin B3 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Vitamin B5 Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that is important for the production of coenzyme A and phosphopantetheine, both of which are necessary for the metabolism of fatty acids. Deficiency Vitamin B5 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Inadequate growth

Vitamin B6: Pyridoxine, often known as vitamin B6, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that serves as a coenzyme for the metabolism of amino acids, glycogen, and sphingoid bases. All food categories include vitamin B6, which is common. Deficiency Vitamin B6 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Can cause skin disorders,
• The abnormal nervous system,
• Confusion,
• Poor coordination
• Insomnia.

Vitamin B7: The water-soluble vitamin biotin, often known as vitamin B7, is necessary for carboxylation activities that depend on bicarbonate and serve as a coenzyme. Deficiency Vitamin B7 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Depression

• Hair fall
• Muscle pain

Vitamin B9: Folate, often known as vitamin B9, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that participates in single-carbon transfers in the metabolism of nucleic acids and amino acids. Deficiency Vitamin B9 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Anemia and a reduction in growth rates.
• Digestive disorders such as diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,

Vitamin B12: Cobalamin, often known as vitamin B12, is a necessary water-soluble vitamin that functions as a coenzyme for the critical methyl transfer process that transforms homocysteine into methionine and the isomerization event that transforms L-methylmalonyl-CoA into succinyl-CoA. Because it is produced by bacteria, vitamin B12 is exclusively found in animal products. Deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Demyelination and irreversible nerve cell death.
• abnormal gait.

Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid, often known as vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for life. It functions both enzymatically and nonenzymatically as a soluble antioxidant. Deficiency Vitamin C deficiency leads to many diseases:

• Bleeding and inflamed gums
• Loose teeth, poor wound healing
• Anemia.

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Difference between Water-soluble and Fat-soluble Vitamins

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The major differences between Water-soluble and Fat-soluble Vitamins are:

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Things to Remember

• Vitamin E and C function as antioxidants, preventing cellular harm.
• B vitamins and vitamin C must be taken regularly since they cannot be stored by the body.
• Vitamin D is the most important vitamin for your body overall
• Vitamin A is important for normal vision and immune function.
• Vitamin K is important for blood clotting.
• Along with vitamins C, E, and K, vitamin D is among the greatest for your skin.
• The most popular vitamins for treating acne are vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

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Previous years questions

1. The RBC deficiency is deficiency disease of :[NEET 2021]
2. Night blindness is caused by the deficiency of:
3. The disease that occurs in mature adult human being due to deficiency of calciferol is
4. Which of the following is not a water soluble vitamin?
5. The RBCdeficiency is deficiency disease of :[NEET 2021]
6. Night blindness is caused by the deficiency of:
7. Which of the following is not a water soluble vitamin?
8. The disease that occurs in mature adult human being due to deficiency of calciferol is
9. The chemical name of vitamin
10. The metal present in vitamin

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Sample Questions

Ques-What are the body's three primary functions for vitamins? ( 2 marks)

Ques. How can you tell if your body is vitamin deficient? ( 3 marks)

Ques. When was the first vitamin A discovered? (2 Marks )

Ques. Do we require Vitamins? ( 2 Marks)

Ques. Why is it referred to as vitamin D? ( 3 Marks )

Ques. Does the body store vitamin D? (3 Marks )

Ques-Which other name is used for cobalamin? ( 1 Marks)
(a) Vitamin B12 (b) Vitamin B2 (c) Vitamin B6 (d) Vitamin B11

Ques. Beriberi is caused by a lack of which vitamins? ( 1 Marks)
(a) Vitamin B12 (b) Vitamin B2 (c) Vitamin B6 (d) Vitamin B1