Awesome science facts for kids

What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are complex compounds which cannot be created by the body own and very essential for the healthy functioning of the body organs and growth and development. Vitamins are the vital elements which we can get only through the healthy diet and vitamins supplements.

Vitamins are naturally found in very sufficient amount in all the common foods, fruits and other sources which are easily available throughout the world. It is very necessary to eat vitamins on daily basis as its deficiency leads to the various serious health hazards, deficiency syndrome and even death.

On the other hand, eating vitamins over the limit also causes serious health hazards to the person. Consuming extra vitamins is bad for health, so it is very important to have vitamins within requirement which can easily be got through the normal and proper daily diet.

What do Vitamins do?

There are number of vitamins (13 vitamins) which are required to act together with the enzymes of our body cells in order to carryout and regulate various vital functioning of the body organs. They involve deeply in the variety of metabolic processes in order to release energy from the nutrients available in the food. They also engage in building and maintaining health of the skin, teeth, bones, blood and other vital tissues of the body.

Types of Vitamins

Vitamin A or Retinol

Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid

Vitamin D or Calciferol

Vitamin E or Tocopherol

Vitamin K or Quinone

B group vitamins

Vitamins are available in two types, first one is fat-soluble vitamins and second one is water-soluble vitamins.

What are Fat-soluble Vitamins?

Fat soluble vitamins can be accumulated in body in the liver and fatty tissues as they are easily soluble in the fat. That’s why fat soluble vitamins are not so necessary to take on daily basis; having 2-3 times a week is considered to be sufficient for the adults. They are carried to the blood and other cells together with the fats in lipoproteins or particular transportable proteins to operate in the cells and membranes. As fat soluble vitamins are accumulated in the body, its excess intake may be toxic and very harmful to the body. Vitamins which come under this category are A, D, E and K.

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