{"id":152209,"date":"2022-03-21T10:51:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T05:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=152209"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:14:14","slug":"a-complete-guide-to-vitamins-its-importance-for-human-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/a-complete-guide-to-vitamins-its-importance-for-human-body\/","title":{"rendered":"A Complete Guide to Vitamins and Their Importance for the Human Body"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Types of Vitamins, Their Sources, and Deficiency Symptom<\/a><\/li>
The Need for Vitamin Supplements<\/a><\/li>
Precautions with Vitamin Supplements<\/a><\/li>
How to Measure Vitamin Levels?<\/a><\/li>
Tips to Maintain Good Vitamin Levels and What to Do If You Are Deficient<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When we discuss ways to improve our health, we mostly talk about lifestyle changes and the need to exercise regularly. Although these approaches can help transform your health, we often forget how important a special group of nutrients is. We are referring to vitamins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vitamins are absolutely crucial for growth and maintaining good health. They function like minerals, with the main difference being that minerals are inorganic matter that we source from the earth and water, while vitamins are organic compounds found naturally in plants and animals 1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word \u2018vitamin\u2019 is derived from two Latin words, \u2018vita\u2019 (meaning \u2018life\u2019) and \u2018amine\u2019 (referring to \u2018amino acids\u2019). Fun fact: Initially, vitamins were incorrectly thought to be amino acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Vitamin H, more commonly known as biotin, is part of the B complex group of vitamins. Vitamin H is needed for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It also helps the nervous system function properly.<\/p>\nDr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)<\/a><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Vitamins, Their Sources, and Deficiency Symptom<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are 13 crucial vitamins, A, C, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. They can be classified into two main types, as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Fat soluble vitamins:<\/strong> These vitamins are stored in the fatty tissues of our bodies. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are the four fat soluble vitamins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Water soluble vitamins: <\/strong>The other nine vitamins are soluble in water and cannot be stored in the body for long. As a result, they need to be consumed daily, and any excess is expelled from the body through urine1<\/a><\/sup>. Vitamin B12, although water-soluble, is an exception to the rule. It can be stored in the liver for years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s learn the food sources, functions, and deficiency symptoms of the 13 vitamins mentioned above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Vitamin A<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"vitamin$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Sources: <\/strong>Cheese, eggs, oily fish, spinach, peas, milk, and yoghurt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Functions: <\/strong>Helps maintain bone health, eyesight, and immune function.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Deficiency Symptoms Include: <\/strong>Dry skin and eyes, night blindness, and increased risk of infections2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Vitamin C<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"vitamin$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Sources: <\/strong>Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, broccoli, and potatoes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Functions: <\/strong>Acts as an antioxidant, helps in iron absorption, keeps skin healthy, and helps in collagen production for wound healing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Deficiency Symptoms Include:<\/strong> Scurvy, which might cause symptoms like weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea2<\/a><\/sup>, and bleeding gums.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Vitamin D<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"vitamin$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Sources: <\/strong>Sunlight, egg yolk, oily fish, and red meat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Functions: <\/strong>Facilitates calcium utilisation and maintaining calcium and phosphorus balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Deficiency Symptoms Include: <\/strong>Muscle and bone pain, bone deformities in children, and may be associated with depression2<\/a>,3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4. Vitamin E<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"vitamin$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Sources:<\/strong> Plant seed oil, almonds, peanuts, peanut butter, wheat germ, egg yolk2<\/a><\/sup>, pumpkin, and red bell pepper.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Functions:<\/strong> Acts as an antioxidant and helps in immune function2<\/a>,4<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Deficiency Symptoms Include:<\/strong> Muscle and nerve damage, inability to control muscle movements, and loss of sensation in the limbs4<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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