Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that mainly function in enzyme systems to enhance the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Without these substances, the breakdown and assimilation of foods could not occur. Certain vitamins participate in the formation of blood cells, hormones, nervous-system chemicals, and genetic materials. Vitamins are classified into two groups, the fat-soluble and the water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B-vitamin complex. The water soluble vitamins are C and B complexes and, cannot be stored in your body and therefore need to be consumed daily to replenish the body's needs.

Fat-soluble vitamins are usually absorbed with foods that contain fat. They are broken down by bile in the liver, and the emulsified molecules pass through the lymphatics and veins to be distributed through the arteries. Excess amounts are stored in the body's fat and in the liver and kidneys. Because fat-soluble vitamins can be stored, they do not have to be consumed every day.

Subscribe to the itscooking.com newsletter. We offer a no "spam" guarantee and we are totally compliant with the UK data protection Act 1998.

Find out more about specific vitamins here;

Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Water Soluble Vitamins
B Complex Vitamins

Vitamin A is essential for the health of epithelial cells and for normal growth. A deficiency leads to skin changes and to night blindness, or a failure of dark adaptation due to the effects of deficiency on the retina. Later, xerophthalmia, an eye condition characterized by dryness and thickening of the surface of the conjunctiva and cornea, may develop; untreated, xerophthalmia can lead to blindness, especially in children. Vitamin A can be obtained directly in the diet from foods of animal origin such as milk, eggs, and liver. In developing countries, most vitamin A is obtained from carotene, which is present in green and yellow fruits and vegetables. Carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body.

Vitamin D acts much like a hormone and regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption and metabolism. Some vitamin D is obtained from such foods as eggs, fish, liver, butter, margarine, and milk, some of which might have been fortified with vitamin D. Humans, however, get most of their vitamin D from exposure of the skin to sunlight. A deficiency leads to rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for many vertebrate animals, but its role in the human body has not been established. It has been popularly advocated for a great variety of afflictions, but no clear evidence exists that it alleviates any specific disease. Vitamin E is found in seed oils and wheat germ. It is believed to function as an antioxidant in the body, protecting cells from free-radical-induced damage.

Vitamin K is necessary for the coagulation of blood. It assists in forming the enzyme prothrombin, which, in turn, is needed to produce fibrin for blood clots. Vitamin K is produced in sufficient quantities in the intestine by bacteria, but is also provided by leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, egg yolk, and many other foods.

Glasses
A registered optician from Bolton, NOW supplies prescription eyewear online at massively discounted prices. Glasses are made to your exact prescription with a 100% money back guarantee...more