5 different vitamins and what they do

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is comprised of carotene (from vegetal-sources) and retinol (from animal sources). Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A have a tendency to be deep green or yellow-orange tinted, and the darker the color, the higher content of retinol. Carotene and beta-carotene are transformed into vitamin A after being digested by the human body.
The main purpose of Vitamin A is a strong antioxidant (particularly in the structure of alpha carotene and beta carotene) which is needed for good vision. It also helps to avoid night blindness. It is also required for the growth, fix and protection of bones, teeth, skin, hair and mucous membranes. Beta carotene is also a shield against cancer and heart disease.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) plays a large part in metabolism and how a person's nerves and muscles work and develop. It is vital for the fabrication of energy from glucose. The more carbohydrate you consume the more of this Vitamin B you will require. Thiamin also helps increase mental vigilance.

Elderly persons need to take more Vitamin B1 as it is also believed it can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Also those people drinking a lot of alcohol should consume an adequate supply of it to equilibrate the loss that is felt through excessive drinking. Any person on diuretics ought to take Vitamin B because of the loss through excessive urination.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) operates as an antioxidant and protects the immune system. It is concerned with the metabolism of meals and energy production. Therefore any person with a busy dynamic life style probably requires more B2 to keep them healthy. It is also used as a yellow food coloring and will change the color of the urine too. This is nothing to be worried about as it shows how the extra vitamin is removed from the body.
 
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is presented in 2 forms, as Nicotinic acid and as Nicotinamide. The first of these may cause blushing of the skin if used in excess, though this is harmless. Vitamin B3 has important roles when regarding energy production and metabolism and takes care of the skin, nerves, intestines and thinking progression. It has been used in treatments against hay fever, asthma, depression, arthritis, an overactive thyroid, and for lessening cholesterol levels.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is another B-vitamin dealing with energy assets of the body and for sustaining a healthy nervous system. It assists in cell growth in curing tissues and is thought to improve hair condition. Its derivative (Calcium pantothenate and Pantotheine) are thought to improve liver function in those persons suffering viral Hepatitis A.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is indispensable for the running over 60 enzymes in the body. It also has a role in metabolism and in the immune system. It supports the fusion of a number of brain chemicals and aids in controlling the function of sex hormones. Vitamin B6 is needed for the fail of the amino acid homocysteine, which can amplify the danger of coronary heart disease.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is typically present in the body in satisfactory doses because it can be easily stored, nevertheless, its presence in liver, meat, oily fish, eggs and dairy produce may imply a lack of it for vegetarians and vegans. Lack of this vitamin has as a primary consequence in the form of anemia. It is otherwise considered necessary for healthy nerve function, resistance to sickness and remedial processes.

Biotin, Folic acid, Inositol, Choline and PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) are also all parts of the Vitamin B-complex set and are fundamental in keeping a fit and healthy body.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is an extremely unstable vitamin, as it can be destroyed by high temperature, daytime and air. It is easily absorbed in conjunction with iron.

Main purpose
Vitamin C is mainly an important antioxidant which helps the growth and preservation of red blood cells, teeth, skin and bones. It aids in the repair of cells and the formation of collagen, and even more it helps the body resist stress and infection. It increases the absorption of calcium and iron, and C is believed to prevent cardiovascular illness, lesser cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, fight allergic reaction and asthma, aid signs of diabetes, prevent gallstones, prevent cancer, improve male fecundity, averts osteoporosis, and holds back the progress of Parkinson's syndrome.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is present in food, but also can be completed in your body after contact with ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D subsists in more varieties, each with a singular action. Some forms are rather still in the body, and have partial capability to act as a vitamin. The liver and kidney help change vitamin D to its active hormone state.

Main purpose
The major role of vitamin D is to preserve normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the incorporation of calcium, serving to form and keep strong bones. It supports bone mineralization among with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones. In lack of vitamin D, bones turn out to be thin, fragile, spongy, or deformed. Vitamin D avoids rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults -- skeletal syndrome that end result in deficiencies that deteriorate bones.

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is not a single vitamin but a class of compounds - usually named phytonadione (the plant type), menaquinone (completed in the intestines) or menadiol (a synthetic form). Everybody knows it the anti-hemorrhage vitamin. It is not frequently incorporated in multivitamin supplements.

Main purpose
Vitamin K controls normal blood clotting and protein creation. It also upholds healthy bone growth. Newborns are frequently given a shot of vitamin K to avoid hemorrhaging.

Vitamins news on the Web

Vitamins and Cancer Link (FOX 10 Phoenix)
We all know the importance of vitamins, but what about Vitamin D? Some believe that a dose of D can help when it comes to battling a life-threatening disease like cancer.

Check where you store your vitamins (WLFI Lafayette)
Where you store your daily vitamin could impact its effectiveness.

Drugstore.com Sees Takeovers After ‘Permanent’ Consumer Shift (Bloomberg)
March 11 (Bloomberg) -- Drugstore.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dawn Lepore said she will pursue acquisitions to boost growth in the company’s main businesses of vitamins, vision and beauty products.

From Start to Finish (Vogue.com UK) (British Vogue)
Four full pads of paper, six biros, countless amounts of Emergen-C vitamins sachets and eighty-eight shows later, Autumn/Winter 2010-11 Fashion Month is over. Sob, sob. We can’t quite believe it’s all over already and hope you have enjoyed the coverage of the shows on the blog thus far.

Genetically Modified for the People [Oscillator] (ScienceBlogs)
The fight over genetically modified foods, whether they're safe, healthy, good for the environment, or just plain "unnatural," has been going on for a long time now. Most people in the scientific community agree that genetic modification in general is a good thing, able to create crops that need less water, less fertilizer, less pesticide, or that contain extra vitamins and nutrients that are ...

Debt doom ahead (Asia Times)
The pills that I thought were tranquilizers turned out to be vitamins, and although I am on the verge of some kind of mental breakdown because of the mix-up, I feel great!

Safe Vitamin Storage (WITN 7 North Carolina)
Where you keep your vitamins may determine how effective they are!

Key additions give Red Sox better balance, defense (USA Today)
Mike Cameron strides effortlessly across the grass to catch a fly ball at the fence. In the cage, he rips line drives in all directions, and then, with his trademark smile, he signs autographs for members of Red Sox Nation.

Tropical salad blends exotic tastes (The Milpitas Post)
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in your diet providing vitamins and minerals, phytonutrients and fiber. They also have preventative health benefits.

Fish oil and vitamins reduce violence in prison inmates (3news)
One of the secrets of controlling violent young offenders in prison is being unlocked.