Many people know about vitamin compounds, but cannot explain what vitamins are, how they affect the body, and whether they can be replaced by other substances.
The word "vitamins" from the Latin language is translated as "substances of life." These compounds belong to low molecular weight organic substances of various chemical nature and are necessary for the passage of vital biochemical and physiological processes in any living organism.
What are vitamins for the human body? These are compounds that are not synthesized or are formed in a scanty amount, and therefore must come from the environment along with food products. In addition, vitamins are substances with high biological activity, therefore, even with their slight lack, the functioning of the whole organism is disrupted, various pathological conditions develop.
To date, about 20 substances are known that belong to vitamins and are divided into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
What are the vitamins of the fat-soluble group? These are compounds that are related to isoprenoids. The main representatives are vitamins E, K, A and D.
All vitamins of group B, vitamin C and biotin, which are conditionally classified as compounds of group B, are water-soluble.
Each of the listed substances performs its specific function in the body. With vitamin deficiencies (conditions characterized by insufficient intake of vitamins in the body), the functioning of internal organs is disrupted, a number of serious diseases can occur.
Characteristics of Some Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A (retinol) is ingested with animal products (eggs, milk, fish liver), as well as yellow vegetables and fruits. He is responsible for the formation of rhodopsin in the eyes, so with insufficient amounts of it, night blindness and xerophthalmia can develop. In addition, retinol increases the resistance of the respiratory organs to infections, helps to keep the skin healthy, and promotes the growth of bones and teeth. I must say that there is a provitamin form of retinol - carotene.
Vitamin D is found in large quantities in the liver of marine fish, butter, eggs (in yolk), in fish roe and yeast. There is an endogenous form of this compound. It is formed in the skin and kidneys when exposed to ultraviolet rays. With a deficiency of this vitamin, rickets occur, and calcium absorption is impaired, which leads to osteoporosis.
Vitamin K is found in spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, rowan berries, and it is also synthesized by large intestine bacteria. With its deficiency in childhood, a fatal outcome is often observed. Hypovitaminosis in adults provokes a decrease in prothrombin in the blood and an increase in the duration of blood coagulation, which leads to the appearance of hemorrhages and anemia.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is practically not found in products of animal origin (only in milk, egg yolks and liver). The most valuable source of this vitamin is fresh vegetables, nuts, vegetable oil, spinach and broccoli, whole grains, and sunflower seeds. Tocopherol actively protects body cells from free radicals. With its lack, chronic fatigue develops , muscular dystrophy, age spots appear, blood cells are destroyed and the reproductive function of the body is disrupted.
It must be said that vitamins play a special role during the period of active physical or mental work, during growth or after serious illness. Vitamins are also important for the elderly and for those who eat malnutrition.
It is also worth noting what vitamins of synthetic origin are - these are compounds that only approach in their structure and functions to natural vitamins. That is why it is wrong to replace vitamins of natural origin, which are found in foods, with their synthetic analogues, since they are less active and are absorbed by the body much worse.