Introduction To Vitamins

Our Bodies Cannot Manufacture Vitamins By Themselves So We Must Get Them Elsewhere

The term vitamin is derived from the words vital and amine, because vitamins are required for life and were originally thought to be amines. Although not all vitamins are amines, they are organic compounds required by humans in small amounts from the diet. An organic compound is considered a vitamin if a lack of that compound in the diet results in overt symptoms of deficiency.

 Vitamins are organic molecules that function in a wide variety of capacities within the body. The most prominent function is as cofactors for enzymatic reactions. The distinguishing feature of the vitamins is that they generally cannot be synthesized by mammalian cells and, therefore, must be supplied in the diet. The vitamins are of two distinct types: fat soluble and water soluble.

In the past, most scientific research on the optimum intake of specific vitamins examined only the prevention of deficiency symptoms. Presently scientists are examining the potential for specific vitamins to prevent and treat disease, as well as to enhance physical and mental health and performance.