In the early 20th century the discovery of vitamins began. Today thereis a chance that there are some vitamins that are still undiscovered. Thedefinition of vitamin is: one of several substances necessary for animalnutrition, and occurring in minute quantities in natural foods; numerous typeshave been distinguished, and designated by the letters of the alphabet. Eachand every living animal needs vitamins to grow and be healthy. Since the human body can t produce vitamins naturally or normallyproduce the amounts needed, food provides the body with them. There aredifferent vitamins found in different foods.
These vitamins give vitalnutrients to an animal. In 1906, the British biochemist Sir. Frederick Hopkins demonstrated thatfoods contain accessory factors in addition to proteins, carbohydrates, fats,minerals and water. Then, in 1912, thee chemist Casimir Funk identified thatthe antiberiberi substance in unpolished rice was an amine (a type ofNitrogen-containing compound), so Funk proposed that it be named vitamine, fromvital amine. It was later discovered that different vitamins have differentchemical properties. This discovery caused vitamine to be turned into vitamin.
In 1912 Hopkins and Funk made a hypothesis. The hypothesis stated theabsence of some vitamins could cause diseases such as beriberi and scurvy. Later a letter was assigned to each vitamin. The letters which were assigned tovitamins in the early years of vitamin research categorize them according totheir functions. As research progressed, the vitamins were given scientificnames.
Foods that contain vitamins are very essential for good health andgrowth. Milk can be important because it is a source of vitamin D. Vitamin Dis important because it is essential for bone growth. Butter can be important because it is a source of Vitamin A.
Thepigments that are converted into Vitamin A, are found in most fruits andvegetables. Vitamin A is important because it can prevent diseases. Cereal and seeds can de important because of its source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B is important because of their source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B isimportant because it can prevent beriberi.
Citrus Fruits can be important because of their source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for strength and metabolism. Plants can be important because of the plant oil which is a source ofVitamin E. Vitamin e is important because it is a source of oxidation in bodytissues.
These examples prove that the distribution of vitamins in naturalsources is uneven. Take vitamin D for example. It is produced only by animals,where as some other vitamins may only be found in plants. Vitamins can besynthetically produced or found naturally, but there is no proof that eithernatural or synthetic vitamins are superior to one another.
There are two categories of vitamins needed in the human body. Thefirst are water-soluble vitamins, like B and C. The second category is fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins areabsorbed by the intestine.
Once the intestine absorbs them, the circulatorysystem carries them to certain tissues. Fat-soluble vitamins are also absorbed by the intestine, and the lymphsystem carries the vitamins to the various parts of the body. These vitaminsare responsible for maintaining the structure of the cell membranes. Don t think that you can have as many vitamins as you want. If too manyvitamins are taken into the body, the vitamin levels in the body become toxic. Since the body can’t produce the essential amounts of vitamins, theremust be a certain requirement of intake of vitamins and vitamin supplements.
These requirements are known as the recommended daily allowance, or RDA. Ifthese requirements aren’t met, you can become a very unhealthy person. The foodand Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science/National Research Councilin the United States establishes these RDA s. For different worldwidepopulation groups two agencies of the United Nation, the Food and AgricultureOrganization and the World Health Organization have developed RDA s. It is wise to follow the RDA. Without correct interpretation of the RDA,a person could take too many or take too few vitamins.
This proves thatvitamins can be beneficial of harmful depending on the usage.Category: Science
