What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are organic compounds that organisms require for nutrients. When an organism is not receiving the required amount of a certain compound, it may need necessary to supplement with vitamins.
Vitamins don’t include other nutrients such as dietary minerals or acids. One vitamin may be made up of several different compounds. A vitamin can come in a pill or liquid form, and there are 13 types of vitamins that humans need.
History
1. Vitamins started with the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians discovered that night blindness could be cured by eating liver. Liver contains a high amount of Vitamin A, so some people with a Vitamin A deficiency suffered from night blindness.
During the Renaissance, many shipmates fell ill due to a vitamin deficiency from not having enough fruits and vegetables to last through the voyage.
Nutrition
2. In order to experience a normal and healthy development, an organism must ingest an appropriate amount of vitamins. In humans, from the moment a fetus starts to grow it will need vitamins and nutrients.
These nutrients cause chemical reactions that create bone, muscle and skin. Vitamins are available through different types of foods and in supplements. A nutritious diet will help to ensure that a person receives a healthy amount of vitamins.
Deficiencies
3. There are two types of vitamin deficiencies. Primary deficiencies happen if an organism does not get enough vitamins through food. Secondary deficiencies occur in underlying disorders that prevent absorption of certain vitamins. Secondary deficiencies usually happen due to alcohol consumption, smoking, the use of certain medications or eating restricted diets.
Side Effects
4. If you ingest a large dose of vitamins you may experience some side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. In the worst cases, you can experience vitamin poisoning. Most people can recover from side effects by reducing their vitamin dosage. In 2004, there were three deaths that were due to the over-consumption of vitamins.
Supplements
5. There are many different vitamin supplements available today. If the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients cannot be obtained with a healthy diet, supplements may be used. A study has shown that Vitamin A and E supplements can even increase mortality. Supplements should be kept out of the reach of children and should be taken with caution to avoid an overdose.