Vitamins: What exactly are they?
Vitamins are diverse organic chemicals which are important for many functions within the human body and if absent for a period of time, disease and deficiencies can develop. Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble or fat-soluble. In humans there are 13 vitamins: 4 fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and 9 water-soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C).
Vitamins: A brief history lesson?
As far back as the Egyptians, it was recorded that the use of Liver (good source of vitamin A for example) could be used to aid night vision. Whilst there was no medical understanding at that time, it was clear that a balanced diet was important for proper human (and animal) growth and function. Most of us with remember from our school history/sciences classes that in 18th Century long voyages were happening and a condition called Scurvy could be prevented by eating fresh citrus fruits. Of course we know today that Scurvy is caused by a lack of Vitamin C.
It was not until
the early 1900's that vitamins were really understood by the scientific world. Englishman William Fletcher (in 1905) was researching a condition called Beriberi and noted that it was prevented by eating unpolished (washed) rice. In his conclusion he made reference that the husk of the rice contained a "special nutrient", which was vitamin B1.
The name vitamin originated from "vitamine," named by a Polish scientist Cashmir Funk in 1911.
Over the next 40 or so years many of the vitamins we know today were first isolated.
Whilst it is important to highlight that vitamins are essential for normal human grown and regeneration, side effects can result of over-use. Today most countries have policies and acts on the safe limits and these are broadly standard throught the world.
Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements: How can I benefit from them?
The use of vitamins, minerals and supplements is widely accepted as a means of supporting a normal diet. In our busy lives it is often very difficult to obtain all of the nutrients we need all of the time. We may have food allergies or lifestyle choices that prevent us from consuming certain foods and/or food groups. So in order to maintain the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals it is necessary to seek help in the form of taking supplements.