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Vitamins are organic compounds that people need in small quantities. Each has a different role in maintaining health and bodily function.
Each organism has different vitamin requirements. For example, humans need to get vitamin C from their diets — while dogs can produce all the vitamin C that they need.
Most vitamins need to come from food because the body either does not produce them or produces very little.
For humans, vitamin D is not available in large enough quantities in food. The human body synthesizes the vitamin when exposed to sunlight, and this is the best source of vitamin D.
Different vitamins play different roles in the body, and a person requires a different amount of each vitamin to stay healthy.
This article explains what vitamins are, what they do, and which foods are good sources. Follow the links in blue below for more information about each vitamin.
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Image credit: Oscar Wong/Getty ImagesVitamins are organic substances present in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs. Having too little of any particular vitamin may increase the risk of developing certain health issues.
A vitamin is an organic compound, which means that it contains carbon. It is also an essential nutrient that the body may need to get from food.
There are currently 13 recognized vitamins.
Vitamins are either soluble, or dissolvable, in fat or water. We describe both types below:
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. The body stores fat-soluble vitamins in fatty tissue and the liver, and reserves of these vitamins can stay in the body for days and sometimes months.
Dietary fats help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins through the intestinal tract.
Water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for long and cannot be stored. They leave the body via the urine. Because of this, people need a more regular supply of water-soluble vitamins than fat-soluble ones.
Vitamin C and all the B vitamins are water-soluble.
For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub.
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Many people in the United States take multivitamins and other supplements, though these may not be necessary or helpful, according to research.
A balanced, varied diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables should be the primary source of vitamins. The Department of Health and Human Services provide up-to-date guidelines detailing the best ways to get enough nutrients from the diet.
Fortified foods and supplements may be appropriate in some cases, however, such as during pregnancy, for people with restricted diets, and for people with specific health issues.
Anyone taking supplements should be careful not to exceed the maximum dose, as research shows that taking too much of any vitamin can lead to health problems.
Also, some medications can interact with vitamin supplements. Overall, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before trying any supplement.
Various supplements are available for purchase online.
When is the best time to take supplements?
Vitamins are essential nutrients that mainly come from foods. Each performs various roles in the body, and deficiencies of different vitamins can harm health in different ways.
Aim to get vitamins from a balanced, varied diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables. If a person is pregnant or has a health issue or a restricted diet, a doctor or nutritionist may recommend supplements.
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