The
human body is one of the most amazing forms of matter on the
planet. It is not the fastest but it has traveled the world.
It is not the biggest but it dominated all habitable lands.
And it is not the strongest but it has survived for thousands
of years. Yet, with so many accomplishments, the human body
cannot create its own food. It relies on plants and animals
for its source of nutrients, minerals, and especially, vitamins.
The human
body needs vitamins so that it will grow and develop. The human
body must have vitamins so that it can function properly and
can fight diseases. For example, vitamin D is needed to help
the bones become stronger and to prevent rickets. Vitamin A
is important to have good eyesight. And vitamin C is needed
to help a wound heal faster.
There are
two types or groups of vitamins. One group is called “water
soluble vitamins”. As its name implies, these vitamins can be
dissolved in water. These are found in parts of our body that
contain a lot of water, such as the blood stream. Through the
blood, and with the aid of enzymes, these water soluble vitamins
can reach parts of the body that needed them. Unfortunately,
water is also used by the body to remove wastes. When a water
soluble vitamin is not utilized by the body, it joins the wastes
and water that are removed. Thus, it is possible for urine to
contain some water soluble vitamins. But this also means that
once the vitamins are removed, the human body has to replace
them. These water soluble vitamins are vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
and the various B vitamins, such as vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2
(riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamine), niacin,
folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid.
The second
group of vitamins is called “fat soluble”. These vitamins are
dissolved in fatty materials in the human body, such as tissues,
muscles, and liver. Since the human body does not remove body
fat along with wastes, the fat soluble vitamins can be stored
These can stay in the body for several days or several months.
When the human body needs them, enzymes take them from the fatty
tissues and bring them to the part of the body where they are
needed. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamin A (retinol), vitamin
D (calciferol), vitamin E (tocopherols), and vitamin K (phylloquinone).
Some humans
do not like to eat fruits and vegetables that contain these
vitamins. This is why they take vitamin capsules to assure themselves
that their bodies have all the vitamins they need.
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