Vitamins are essential nutrients, but what are their types and functions?

You must already know that vitamins are important nutrients in maintaining a healthy body. However, what makes vitamins so important? Actually, what are vitamins? What are the types? Come on, see the full explanation below.

What are vitamins?

Vitamins are organic substances that are found in many foods. Well, vitamins are substances that are very important in helping human physical and mental development, even though the body needs them in small amounts. Because they are needed in small amounts, vitamins are classified as micronutrients.

Unfortunately, the human body cannot produce vitamins on its own. So it is very important for you to consume foods and drinks that contain vitamins.

Types of vitamins and their differences

Vitamins are a type of micronutrient that are still divided into different groups and types. There are 6 types of vitamins that play an important role in maintaining the functions of the human body. Meanwhile, the two groups of vitamins are fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat cells and require fat to be absorbed. Which includes fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K. Similar to fat, fat-soluble vitamins will be stored if the amount is excessive and will be used for further processing. Therefore, make sure you only take supplements of these vitamins in moderation. When consumed in excess, this vitamin is not removed by the body so that it can be harmful to your health.

On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body. Therefore, the human body needs to consume appropriate amounts of water soluble vitamins every day. The advantage is that this type of vitamin can be absorbed at any time without the need for fat.

Benefits of each vitamin

It is important to know the benefits and health effects of each vitamin. This can help you balance your diet and spot the symptoms of a certain vitamin deficiency or deficiency.

Fat soluble vitamins

Vitamin A serves to maintain eye health and immune function, is one of the main factors that help cell growth, and plays a role in the process of forming genes and proteins. Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are visual impairment and susceptibility to infection.
Vitamin K helps the blood clotting process. Symptoms of the deficiency include bruising easily, dark black blood, and small blood clots under the nails.
Vitamin D able to help the absorption of calcium and phosphorus which is important for bone health and maintains the nervous system. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Vitamin E protects cell membranes, prevents excessive blood clotting, and supplies oxygen to the blood. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include anxiety, problems with the circulatory system and the reproductive system.

Water soluble vitamins

Vitamin B can provide energy reserves (vitamin B6) and release energy (vitamin B12), maintain the nervous and visual system. Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency are anemia, inflammation, weakness, paranoia, paraesthesia, pain, diarrhea, etc.
Vitamin C functions to help form collagen as well as fight free radicals that can damage DNA. So, the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include weakness, muscle and joint pain, dry skin, pale tongue, nosebleeds, old wounds that heal, and others.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.