Vitamins

Organic substances found in very small quantities in food, vitamins are essential for preventing disease and maintaining life functions in all animals, and even some plants.

One school of thought suggests you can get all the daily vitamins you need from a balanced diet, while other dietary specialists recommend taking vitamin supplements. Some, such as vitamin A, are fat-soluble, and are retained in the body’s fatty tissues, while others, such as B and C, are water-soluble and easily excreted, so need to be replaced every day. Any excess of the water-soluble type can be flushed out of the body, but it is possible to overdose on the fat-soluble variety, which can be potentially harmful to the body.

Fat-soluble

Vitamin A
Present in meat, fish oil, egg yolks, butter and cheese, vitamin A is needed for bone and teeth growth, and night vision.

Vitamin D
Activated by sunlight, vitamin D is present in egg yolk and fatty fish, and helps the body use calcium and phosphorous in bone and tooth formation.

Vitamin E
Found in green vegetables, wheat germ, plant oils, egg yolks and meat, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, counteracting the harmful effects of oxygen on tissues.

Vitamin K
Found in leafy vegetables such as spinach, and in liver, and also created by bacteria in the intestine, vitamin K is critical for blood clotting.

Water-soluble

Vitamin B complex
Present in whole grains, nuts, pulses, pork, liver, and leafy vegetables, it helps the body release energy from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Vitamin C
Obtained from citrus fruits, berries, and some vegetables, it is vital in the production of collagen, the main ingredient in your body’s connective tissue.