Vitamins and Nutrition
Vitamins are the organic substances in food that are essential in little amounts but cannot be synthesized by the body in adequate quantities. So, they are to be provided from the environment. It can also be defined as organic substances that are required in small amounts in animal and human diets for sustaining life and health. The deficiency of certain vitamins can cause illness, poor growth and development, and various syndromes. There are 13 vital vitamins which are required for the body’s normal functioning. They are: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12,Folate (folic acid). Nutrition is the science that deals with the various composition of food and the way in which suitable nourishment can be brought.
The food which is taken is utilized for maintaining health, fitness, growth and providing energy to the body. This is done by the vital nutrients that are available in the food. The high-quality food mostly consists of macronutrients, micronutrients and water. The macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. These are indispensable for the normal functioning of the body. Age, sex, height, weight, rate of growth etc are the factors on which the amount of nutritional requirement depends. Any form of food-solid or liquid which is taken provides energy to the body. The nutrition which is available in the food promotes growth and development, and maintenance of the body. Appropriate and accurate nutrition is possible only when the food taken is properly balanced. The food consumed should contain all the fundamental and essential nutrients. There is not a single food item which has all the nutrients in it. So a variety of food items should be included in the diet so that the body gets the necessary amount of nutrition to fulfill all the requirements of the body. Malnutrition occurs when the food taken does not meet the nutrition requirement amount.
Tags: Organic Substances