13 Essential Vitamins Your Body Needs: A Complete Guide

You have heard many times the term vitamin. But did you ever wondered

What is meant by vitamins?

Why are they important for your body?

What is their function inside your body?

Why are they given with so much importance?

If you ever wondered about any of these questions then you are going to get your answers here.

Historical Background of Vitamin

In 1905, Cornelius Adrianus Pekelharing found that when he fed his animals with proteins, carbohydrates fats, inorganic salts and water they did not show any remarkable growth. But when he added milk into it they showed a huge difference in their growth.

He concluded that there are very small substances present in the milk which is necessary for normal growth. These substances are not identified yet but essential for normal growth.

Later on it was found that these minor but vital substances are not amine so the last “e” was dropped and it became the term “vitamin”.

We can now define Vitamins as organic substances which are vital for the normal growth and proper functioning. These micronutrients are involved in the immunity, growth and mental clarity.

There are 13 essential vitamins which are identified by the health experts. They also explain their proper functioning and health conditions caused by their deficiencies.

Classification of Vitamins

Vitamins are categorised into two types depending whether they are needed from outside or being prepared inside the body. These are

• Essential vitamins
• Non-essential vitamins

When a vitamin is needed from outside to perform then it is termed as essential vitamin. They are taken in from food items or supplements. There are 13 such vitamins.

When body doesn’t require the vitamin form outside of boy then it is called as non-essential vitamin.

There are 2 types of vitamins. This classification is based on their solubility within solvents like water and fat.

• Water soluble vitamin
• Fat soluble vitamin

If they are dissolved in water then they are termed as water soluble. Such types of vitamins are not stored inside the body. They must be taken on daily basis to fulfil the body needs.

If a vitamin doesn’t dissolve in water but in fat then it is known as fat soluble vitamin. Such vitamins are stored inside the body. They are not required to eat on daily basis.

List of Vitamins

• Vitamin A ( Ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (Folate)
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

Each vitamin has a different role for the proper growth and functioning of the body. These roles vary from cell from cell growth to strengthening bone and heart health. They support vision and brain function.