Vitamins
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In the early 20th century the discovery of vitamins began. Today there is a
chance that there are some vitamins that are still undiscovered. The definition of
vitamin is: one of several substances necessary for animal nutrition, and occurring in
minute quantities in natural foods; numerous types have been distinguished, and
designated by the letters of the alphabet. Each and every living animal needs vitamins
to grow and be healthy.
Since the human body can t produce vitamins naturally or normally produce the
amounts needed, food provides the body with them. There are different vitamins found in
different foods. These vitamins give vital nutrients to an animal.
In 1906, the British biochemist Sir. Frederick Hopkins demonstrated that foods
contain accessory factors in addition to proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and
water. Then, in 1912, thee chemist Casimir Funk identified that the
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antiberiberi substance in unpolished rice was an amine (a type of
Nitrogen-containing compound), so Funk proposed that it be named vitamine, from vital
amine. It was later discovered that different vitamins have different chemical
properties. This discovery caused vitamine to be turned into vitamin.
In 1912 Hopkins and Funk made a hypothesis. The hypothesis stated the absence of
some vitamins could cause diseases such as beriberi and scurvy. Later a letter was
assigned to each vitamin. The letters which were assigned to vitamins in the early years
of vitamin research categorize them according to their functions. As research
progressed, the vitamins were given scientific names.
Foods that contain vitamins are very essential for good health and growth. Milk
can be important because it is a source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important because it
is essential for bone growth.
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Butter can be important because it is a source of Vitamin A. The pigments that
are converted into Vitamin A, are found in most fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is
important because it can prevent diseases.
Cereal and seeds can de important because of its source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B
is important because of their source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B is important because it can
prevent beriberi.
Citrus Fruits can be important because of their source of vitamin C. Vitamin C
is important for strength and metabolism.
Plants can be important because of the plant oil which is a source of
Vitamin E. Vitamin e is important because it is a source of oxidation in body tissues.
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These examples prove that the distribution of vitamins in natural sources is
uneven. Take vitamin D for example. It is produced only by animals, where as some other
vitamins may only be found in plants. Vitamins can be synthetically produced or found
naturally, but there is no proof that either natural or synthetic vitamins are superior
to one another.
There are two categories of vitamins needed in the human body. The first are
water-soluble vitamins, like B and C. The second category is fat-soluble vitamins, such
as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestine. Once
the intestine absorbs them, the circulatory system carries them to certain tissues.
Fat-soluble vitamins are also absorbed by the intestine, and the lymph system
carries the vitamins to the various parts of the body. These vitamins are responsible
for maintaining the structure of the cell membranes.
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Don t think that you can have as many vitamins as you want. If too many vitamins
are taken into the body, the vitamin levels in the body become toxic.
Since the body can t produce the essential amounts of vitamins, there must be a
certain requirement of intake of vitamins and vitamin supplements. These requirements
are known as the recommended daily allowance, or RDA. If these requirements aren t met,
you can become a very unhealthy person. The food and Nutrition Board of the National
Academy of Science/National Research Council in the United States establishes these RDA
s. For different worldwide population groups two agencies of the United Nation, the Food
and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization have developed RDA s.
It is wise to follow the RDA. Without correct interpretation of the RDA, a
person could take too many or take too few vitamins. This proves that vitamins can be
beneficial of harmful depending on the usage.
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