Just as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, inorganic salts and water are the essential parts of our food, vitamins are also necessary to keep the body in good health. Lack or deficiency of vitamins can cause many disorders and diseases like loss in digestive power, weakening of eye-sight, general weakness, tiredness, dryness of skin, inflammation of gums, weakening of bones, beriberi, rickets, etc.
What are vitamins? The word vitamin was coined in 1912 after the Latin word ‘vita’, which means life. In fact, vitamins are organic materials which are found in many food substances and are extremely essential for the proper functioning of the body. They are of many kinds and each vitamin has a separate role in keeping our body healthy. Twenty kinds of different vitamins have already been isolated, out of which six vitamins are most important. These are vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is mainly found in milk, butter, cream, cheese, eggs, fish-oil, cabbage etc. It is very essential for the development of the body. Deficiency of vitamin A weakens eye sight and leads to night blindness. Vitamin A protects us from infections, skin diseases and many eye diseases.
Vitamin B Complex: Vitamin B consists of many water soluble vitamins of the same nomenclature. They are known by their chemical names. Their constitution and functions are also different.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is found in large quantities in orange, lemon, grape, tomatoes, pineapple, germinated pulses and green vegetables. Pears, plums, bananas also have it.
Deficiency of Vitamin C leads to pain in joints, and a disease called scurvy. Inflammation of gums, weakening of brain, lethargy, weakness, tiredness, pain in legs, loss of eyesight, appearance of blue scars on the body, and peeling of skin are also caused by its deficiency.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is found in milk, butter, fish-oil, egg etc. The sunlight falling on the body also makes vitamin D inside the skin; Deficiency of this vitamin causes a disease called rickets (weakening of bones).
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is found in grains and oils. It is also found in a large quantity in onions. Deficiency of this vitamin badly affects skin, blood, brain and liver.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables. Generally, the organisms present inside the intestines make vitamin K. It helps in clotting of blood on wounds.
If we take balanced diet containing fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, fish, beans wheat and rice, we get all these vitamins. All these vitamins are also available in the form of tablets and capsules in the market.
