Fundamental Nutrients of the Human Body: Understanding Vitamins

Vitamins are one of the six essential vitamins groups that the human body depends on. They are organic compounds that help the body with all sorts of different functions. Though they are often praised by the media and other sources as being the cure for everything from aging to curing diseases, there has not been any scientific proof that vitamins are capable of miraculous things. However, with that said, they do play a very important role all throughout the human body.

If a person does not get all of the necessary vitamins through his or her diet, then it can lead to potential disorders, or in some cases, even death. Additionally, things like excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the body's absorption of various vitals, putting these people at an even greater risk. Today, many foods that are produced in the United States are fortified with various vitamins, however, some people still do not receive all of the necessary vitamins for survival. For example, if a person does not get enough vitamin D in their diet, then it could potentially lead to rickets. To help combat this problem, most of the milk that is produced has vitamin D added to it to help people get the necessary amount.

Some of the most commonly known vitamins include vitamin C, Niacin, and Riboflavin. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant for the body and helps create collagen in the body. Additionally, it is important for maintaining bones and teeth. Niacin is part of the enzymes NAD and NADP and it helps with the process of cellular respiration. Riboflavin is part of enzymes like FAD and helps oxidize fats and proteins. These vitamins come from a variety of different food sources and are necessary for the human body to work properly. However, too much or too little of any of these vitamins can potentially lead to health problems, so you need to carefully balance your vitamin intake. It is important that you maintain a balanced diet consisting of all of the various items on the food pyramid, as vitamins come from a wide variety of different food sources.

Source:

Benitz, Bill. Lecture: Human Biology. November 16, 2009