Vitamins are a group of unrelated organic substances occurring in many foods in small amounts and necessary in trace amounts for the normal metabolic functioning of the body. They cannot be synthesized by body cells. Deficiencies, usually the result of globally poor nutrition, produce well-characterized clinical symptoms and signs.
Fat soluble vitamins:
Water soluble vitamins:
Water soluble vitamins are less readily stored than their fat soluble counterparts. Consequently, in the absence of intake, deficiencies of the former tend to occur more rapidly.
In illness, an elevation of the metabolic rate increases the turnover of vitamins and particularly the water soluble group. This is because they are largely involved as co-factors in a number of metabolic pathways. Consequently, allowance should be made for additional supplementation in such circumstances.
The term `vitamine' came into use in 1912, when it was thought that the compound in question was an amine essential to life. The `e' was subsequently dropped when it became clear that these substances were not amines.
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page