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 disease like loss in digestive power, weakening of eye-sight, general weakness, tiredness, dryness of skin, inflammation of gums, weakening of bones, beri-beri, 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.

Vitamins 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 protect us from infections, skin diseases and many eye diseases.

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Vitamin A is needed for a healthy skin and respiratory system, and also for the eyes.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B consist of many soluble vitamins of the same nomenclature.  They are known by their chemical names.  Their constitution and functions are also different.  These are describe below.

1. Vitamin B1, (Thiamine): Vitamin 1B, or thiamine is found in yeast, germinated wheat and pork.  Its deficiency leads to a disease called beri-beri and causes tiredness, weakness, breathing difficulties, indigestion etc.  Vitamin B, is lost if food is cooked baking soda.
2. Vitamin B2, (Riboflavin): Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is mainly found in milk, egg and liver.  Deficiency of vitamin B2, causes general weakness, skin diseases, wounds on tongues and cracks on lips.  Eyes are also affected ; there is dimness in vision, redness or burning sensation in the eyes.
3. Vitamin B6 (Nicotinic Acid or Niacin): Vitamin B6 or nicotonic acid or niacin is found in bigger proportion in yeast, grain chaffs, eggs, meats, kidneys and livers.  This is also found in smaller quantities in flour, polished rice, fruits, green vegetables, and milk. Deficiency vitamin B6 causes a disease called pellagra.  This causes mental tension, inflammation of tongue, gums and inner lining of the intestine.  There is loss of appetite and body becomes weak.
4.  Vitamin B7: Vitamin B7 is found in eggs, meat, milk and green vegetables.  Deficiency of this vitamin adversely affects the inner lining of stomach and intestines, thereby causing disorder in digestion.  
5. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is found in milk, meat, liver etc. By keeping the diet balanced, it can be obtained in sufficient quantity.  Deficiencies of this vitamin can result in anemia, pains, toughness in arms, and partial paralysis.  For the formation of red blood corpuscles, Vitamin B12, Folic acid and vitamin C are essential.  In case of an extreme anemic condition, it is injected into the body.

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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is found in large quantities in orange, lemon, grape, tomatoes, pineapple, germinated pulse 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 the 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 D inside the skin.  Deficiency of the 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 help in clothing 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.

Lovely Regards,

Andriano