Vitamins – what are they and which function do they have in our bodies?
Vitamins are essential, with other words, vital for our survival. Our body cannot on its own produce vitamins, at least not in the quantity that is needed and therefor we need to get sufficient quantities via the food we eat. If we don’t get it, our body will not function optimally. Read more about the different vitamins, how much we need daily and where to find them here to the right.
Vitamins are crucial for several functions in our bodies. Among other things, they are needed for turnover of fats, carbs, protein and minerals. Our metabolism is mainly managed by enzymes, but they need help from vitamins. Vitamins are needed for growth and care of our bodies tissues. They participate in counteracting infections, makes our blood coagulate, strengthen our teeth and makes sure our night vision works. Some vitamins have a more hormone-like feature and functions as information intermediaries. Additionally, some vitamins function as antioxidants, protecting us from free radicals and our cells from oxidations.
There is a total of 13 life essential vitamins, that are divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble. The 4 fat-soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin A (retinol, beta-carotene): important for our skin, mucous membranes and out vision.
- Vitamin D (calciferol): regulates the calcium balance in out bones and teeth.
- Vitamin E (tokoferol): protects the polyunsaturated fatty acids in our bodies cells, and it is important for the stability of red blood cells.
- Vitamin K (menaquinone and others): is needed for blood coagulation and is important for bone density.
And the 9 water-soluble vitamins:
- Thiamine: needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates, energy production and certain muscle and nerve functions.
- Riboflavin: needed for the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and protein.
- Niacin: needed for when protein, carbohydrates and fats are converted into energy in our bodies.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): needed for the metabolism of protein and is important for our brain and nervous system.
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): needed for the formation of blood cells, the metabolism of cells and for the nervous system.
- Folate: needed for the formation of new red blood cells and the cells metabolism.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): needed, among other things, for the metabolism of connective tissue and it also acts like an antioxidant.
- Biotin: needed for the cells metabolism.
- Pantothenic acid: needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.