Question

What are the principal functions of vitamins and why are they essential to life and health? In your opinion, which vitamins are the most important and why? Use the material in the text and lecture to support your response. Use proper APA citation.

Answer 1

Ans) Vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients—because acting in concert, they perform hundreds of roles in the body. They help shore up bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage.

Classification of vitamins with it's role:

Fat soluble vitamins:

VITAMIN A: Retinol

- Contributed to the production of retinal pigments.

- Required for the normal functioning of epithelial and glandular Tissues.

- Support growth especially skeletal growth

- It is anti- infective

VITAMIN D:

- Promoted intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate

- Stimulate normal mineralization

- Permits normal growth

VITAMIN E: Tocopherol

- Antioxidant property

VITAMIN K:

- Stimulate or help in the production of certain anticoagulant factors

Water soluble vitamins:

VITAMIN B1: Thiamine

- Essential for oxidative pathway of glucose

VITAMIN B2: Riboflavin

- Fundamental role in cellular oxidation

- Maintain integrity of mucocutaneous structure

VITAMIN B3: Niacin

- Essential for metabolism of carbohydrate.

- Normal functioning of skin, intestinal and nervous tissue.

VITAMIN B5: Pantothenic acid

- Role in biosynthesis of corticosteroid

VITAMIN B6: Pyridoxine

- Essential for metabolism of carbohydrate and amino acid.

VITAMIN B9: Folate or Folic acid

- crucial for proper brain function and plays an important role in mental and emotional health.

VITAMIN B12:

- Cooperates with dilate in the biosynthesis of DNA.

VITAMIN C: Ascorbic acid

- Antioxidant

- synthesis of collagen

- Taking large doses of vitamins can be harmful because body only needs vitamins in very tiny amounts. Vitamin supplements can't replace a healthy diet, but a general multivitamin may help if diet is inadequate.

Benefit of taking a multivitamin everyday
- Good for your heart: Studies show that taking a high-quality multivitamin may reduce cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S.