Vitamin

1 Definition

Vitamins are essential organic compounds which the human body needs for growth, maintaining health and a normal development from childhood. Humans are not able to synthesize Vitamins in a proper amount therefore we have to supply them to our body by diet. Vitamins have different functions for example as precursors of coenzymes (B complex vitamins), antioxidants (Vitamin E), hormone-like (Vitamin D) or as carrier for chemical groups (folic acid).

2 Groups of vitamins

2.1 Water-soluble

2.1.1 Non-B-complex

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

2.1.2 B-complex

• Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Niacin (nicotinic acid)
• Biotin
• Pantothenic acid
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12

2.2 Fat-soluble

• Vitamin A (retinol)
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
• Vitamin E (tocopherols)
• Vitamin K