Different Types of Vitamins
Vitamins are necessary to ensure healthy development and bodily functions in both children and adults. There are six different types of vitamins. Each serves a different purpose in our bodies. Some help us improve our night vision, while others take on the difficult tasks of keeping our immune systems and bones in tip-top shape.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is most commonly noted for its ability to improve eyesight. However, vitamin A also your body maintains a healthy immune system and peak reproductive health. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to rough skin, impaired night vision and increased susceptibility to viral infections. Good sources of vitamin A are carrots, milk, spinach and red bell peppers.
B Vitamins
The B complex is made up of vitamins B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folate), B12 (Ctanocobalamin), Biotin and Pantothenic Acid. Vitamins in the B complex mainly aid in promoting a healthy appetite, releasing energy, ensuring a healthy nervous system and creating essential fats. A deficiency in the B vitamins can result in anemia, dermatitis and pellagra, among other conditions. Good sources of B vitamins are grains, dairy, meat and leafy vegetables.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body heal wounds, absorb iron, combat infections, maintain healthy gums and produce collagen. A deficiency in vitamin C may lead to nosebleeds, scurvy, gingivitis, dry skin, slow healing of wounds and increased vulnerability to infections. Keep your body full of vitamin C by eating citrus fruits, strawberries, watermelon, cabbage, tomato and broccoli.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D ensures that the body maintains strong bones, healthy levels of calcium and phosphorous and prevents the development of hypertension and osteoporosis. A deficiency in vitamin D may lead to osteoporosis, rickets and osteomalacia. Food sources which are rich in vitamin D are eggs, dairy, salmon, cod liver oil, cereal and margarine.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as a filtration system to ensure that the lungs remain undamaged by pollution. Vitamin E is also imperative in the formation of red blood cells and ensures that the tissues in the body are in peak condition. When someone experiences a deficiency in vitamin E, they're at risk for developing conditions, such as anemia, peripheral neuropathy, skeletal myopathy and ataxia. Vitamin E can be found in whole grains, sunflower seeds, leafy green vegetables, avocados and peanut butter.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for normal blood clotting (the kind that stops the bleeding when you get a cut). Additionally, the New York Times reports that some studies indicate that vitamin K helps maintain healthy bones in the elderly. Though vitamin K deficiency is extremely rare, newborns are more likely to be born with a vitamin K deficiency; this condition is called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. However, adults with an inability to digest vitamins from the intestinal tract can develop a deficiency. Adults with a vitamin K deficiency are more likely to bruise, have internal bleeding and poor coagulation. Food sources that are rich in vitamin K are found in dairy products, soybeans and leafy green vegetables.
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