Vitamins are the complex organic compounds found in some foods which are necessary for the well-being of the entire body. Vitamins are necessary for normal growth, good health, good vision, proper digestion, healthy teeth, gums and bones, and for life to be maintained. Vitamins act as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions of metabolism in our body which lead to normal growth and good health.

Vitamins do not provide energy to our body like carbohydrates and fats. It also not forms body tissues like proteins or minerals. Vitamins are essential in our body in little quantities but their presence is essential in our diet. If we do not get proper amount of vitamin in our food then vitamins deficiency duseases may occur, which may negatively affect the skin, hair, eyes, bones, and general growth.

Presenrly, there are around 15 types of vitamins are known, which were represented by the capital letters such as A, B, C, and many more. Several important types of vitamins are Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K. Most vitamins cannot be made by our body thus, they get through several food dishes. But only two vitamins such as Vitamin D and Vitamin K are made in our human body.

Tyoes of Vitamins – Vitamins may be divided in two groups such as Water Soluble Vitamins and Fat Soluble Vitamins.

1. Water Soluble Vitamins – Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C.
2. Fat or Oil Soluble Vitamins – Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

Vitamin B Complex is not a single vitamin, it is a mixture of several vitamins. There are several types of vitamins are given below –

1. Vitamin A (Retinol) – This types of vitamin is a fat or oil soluble vitamin and its chemical name is Retinol. Vitamin A is essential in maintaining healthy normal skin, eye-sight (especially the night vision), hair growth, and proper growth. There are several important sources of vitamin A are milk, ripe mango, green leafy vegetables, fish, butter carrot, and ghee.
2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – This type of vitamin is a water soluble vitamin and the chemical nane of vitamin B1 is Thiamine. Vitamin B1 is necessary for goood functioning of heart, muscles, and nerves. It is also essential for carbohydrates metabolism and growth. There are several important sources of this vitamin are green vegetables, milk, whole grain cereals, soybean and meat.
3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – This type of vitamin is also a water soluble vitamin and the chemical name of vitamin B2 is Riboflavin. Vitamin B2 is essential in the north functioning of eyes, and also help in maintaining mouth and skin healthy. It also promotes protein and carbohydrates metabolism and also helps in healthy growth. There are several important sources of vitamin B2 are eggs, whole grain cereals,green leafy vegetables, yeast, meat, and peas.
4. Vitamin B4 (Niacin) – This type of vitamin is a water soluble vitamin and the chemical name of vitamin B4 is Niacin. Vitamin B4 is necessary for good mental health, maintaining healthy skin, and a good digestive tract. There are several important sources of vitamin B4 are green vegetables, meat, potato, tomato, whole grains, chicken, groundnut, and fish.
5. Vitamin Folic Acid – This type of vitamin is a watermelon soluble vitamin, which belongs to the vitamin B complex group. It is essential for the formation and maturation of Reb Blood Cells ( RBCs) in our human body, which is beneficial for our health. There are several important sources of vitamin folic acid are pulses, meat, green leafy vegetables, and cauliflower.
6. Vitamin B12 (Cynocobalamin) – This type of vitamin is a water soluble vitamin and the chemical name of vitamin B12 is Cynocobalamin. It is essential for the formation of proper growth and healthy blood of our body and also beneficial to prevent pernicious anaemia. There are several sources of vitamin B12 are eggs, meat, and milk.
7. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – This type of vitamin is a water soluble vitamin and its chemical name is Ascorbic Acid. This vitamin is essential to maintain joints, terth, and guns healthy. It also improve immunity to fught infectious diseases thus, it is beneficial for our health. Vitamin C is mainly found in huge amount of citrus fruits. Thete are several sources of this vitamin are tomatoes, amla, orange, lemon, guava, and lime.
8. Vitamin D (Calciferol) – This tyoe of vitamin is a oil or fat soluble vitamin and its chemical name is Calciferol. This type of vitamin is important for thr normal growth of teeth and bones due to it enhances the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in our human body. It is important to note that vitamin D is also produced in our body when the himan skin is exposed to sunlight because sunlight acts on the fat, which is present under the skin to produce vitamin D. There are several sources of vitamin D are butter, milk, eggs, and fish.
9. Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – This type of vitamin is a fat soluble vitamin and its chemical name is Tocopherol. It is important for the normal functioning of muscles, normal reproduction, and protection of liver. There are several sources of vitamin E are tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, milk, and butter.
10. Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) – This type of vitamin is a fat or oil soluble vitamin and its chemical nane is Phylloquinone. Thus vitamin is essential for the normal clotting of blood, which lowers the risk of haemorrhage and is also important for the normal functioning of liver. This type of vitamin is also synthesized in our human body by intestinal bacteria. There are several sources of vitamin K are soyabean palak, spinach, tomatoes, and cabbage.