| 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. |
