10.4.1. Classification of Vitamins

Vitamins are classified into two groups depending upon their solubility in water or fat.

Vitamins are essential organic compounds that our body requires, but it cannot always produce them internally, which is why they need to be included in our diet. They can be categorized based on how they interact with water and fats. This classification helps in understanding how these vitamins are absorbed and utilized in the body.

Think of vitamins like spices in cooking. Different dishes (body functions) require specific spices (vitamins) for the best flavor or health benefits, and just like how some spices dissolve better in oil (fat-soluble vitamins) while others mix well in water (water-soluble vitamins), each vitamin works best in its preferred environment.

Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins which are soluble in fat and oils but insoluble in water are kept in this group. These are vitamins A, D, E and K. They are stored in liver and adipose (fat storing) tissues.

Fat soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E, and K, dissolve in fats and oils. They can be stored in the liver and fat tissues, meaning you don't need to consume them daily. The body draws on these reserves when needed. For example, vitamin A helps maintain healthy vision, and vitamin D helps with calcium absorption.

Imagine a pantry stocked with jars of fat-soluble vitamins. Just like how you don't need to eat all your stored food at once, you can have a little over time. When winter comes and fresh fruits and vegetables are sparse (like needing vitamins during the season without many fresh foods), your body will use the stocked vitamins from your 'pantry' for health.

Water soluble vitamins: B group vitamins and vitamin C are soluble in water so they are grouped together. Water soluble vitamins must be supplied regularly in diet because they are readily excreted in urine and cannot be stored (except vitamin B12) in our body.

Water soluble vitamins, including vitamins from the B group and vitamin C, easily dissolve in water. They are not stored in large amounts in the body, meaning a steady supply through diet is crucial. If you consume more than you need, the excess is usually excreted in urine. This is why it's important to include these vitamins in your daily meals.

Consider water-soluble vitamins like a garden hose: if you water the plants (your body) too much, the excess flows away and isn't saved. So, similar to watering your plants regularly, you need to regularly supply your body with these vitamins through food to stay healthy.

Some important vitamins, their sources and diseases caused by their deficiency are listed in Table 10.3.

Different vitamins come from various food sources, and a lack of these vitamins can lead to specific health problems or diseases. For example, a deficiency of vitamin A can result in night blindness, while a lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums.

Think of it like building a Lego model; each vitamin is a unique piece that contributes to completing the model (your body). If you're missing a piece, like the vitamin A brick, the entire structure might not function correctly (leading to health problems), showing how important each vitamin is.

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