Vitamins

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
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Fruits and vegetables

Vitamins are a group of substances essential for normal cell function, growth and development.

There are 13 essential vitamins. That means they are needed for the body to function. They are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Pantothenic acid
• Biotin
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Folate (folic acid)

Vitamins are grouped into two categories:

• Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue.
• Water-soluble vitamins must be used by the body right away. Any left over water-soluble vitamins leave the body through the urine.

Each vitamin has specific functions. You can develop health problems (deficiency disease) if you do not get enough of a particular vitamin.

Vitamin A helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.

Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. The more protein a person eats, the more vitamin B6 is needed to help the body use the protein. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function, among other things.

Vitamin B12 , like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central nervous system .

Vitamin C , also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing.

Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin," since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times per week is enough to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D. This vitamin promotes the body's absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus .

Vitamin E is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.