Vitamins "Part 1"
A vitamin is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts.
By convention, the term vitamin includes neither other essential nutrients, such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids (which are needed in greater amounts than vitamins) nor the great number of other nutrients that promote health, and are required less often to maintain the health of the organism.
There are 13 essential vitamins, meaning they are needed for the body to function. They are:
Vitamin A (Retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids including beta carotene)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol (D3), Ergocalciferol (D2)
Vitamin E (Tocopherols, tocotrienols)
Vitamin K (phylloquinone, menaquinones)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal)
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B12(Cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, methylcobalamin)
Vitamins are grouped into two categories:
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue. The four fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K.
There are nine water-soluble vitamins. The body must use water-soluble vitamins right away. Any left over water-soluble vitamins leave the body through the urine. Vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the liver for many years.
Source:
-Prof. Kong Thong, Dean of the faculty of agro-industry, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
-Prof. Chrun Rithy, Lecturer of Food Biotechnology of the faculty of agro-industry, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
-Prof. Ly Dalin, Lecturer of Food Nutrition of the faculty of agro-industry, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
- Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang
