essential vitamins

vitaminsFruits, vegetables, and animal products provide many of the vitamins necessary for human health.

There are 13 essential vitamins necessary for the normal health and growth of the human body. Given that vitamins cannot usually be synthesized by the body in sufficient amounts, they must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source. They are traditionally separated into two groups: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. The following table lists the common and chemical names of the essential vitamins, along with their main biological functions and deficiency symptoms.

Water-soluble vitamins
vitamin alternative names/forms biological function symptoms of deficiency
thiamin vitamin B1 component of a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism; supports normal nerve function impairment of the nerves and heart muscle wasting
riboflavin vitamin B2 component of coenzymes required for energy production and lipid, vitamin, mineral, and drug metabolism; antioxidant inflammation of the skin, tongue, and lips; ocular disturbances; nervous symptoms
niacin nicotinic acid, nicotinamide component of coenzymes used broadly in cellular metabolism, oxidation of fuel molecules, and fatty acid and steroid synthesis skin lesions, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms
vitamin B6 pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine component of coenzymes in metabolism of amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds; synthesis of hemoglobin, neurotransmitters; regulation of blood glucose levels dermatitis, mental depression, confusion, convulsions, anemia
folic acid folate, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid component of coenzymes in DNA synthesis, metabolism of amino acids; required for cell division, maturation of red blood cells impaired formation of red blood cells, weakness, irritability, headache, palpitations, inflammation of mouth, neural tube defects in fetus
vitamin B12 cobalamin, cyanocobalamin cofactor for enzymes in metabolism of amino acids (including folic acid) and fatty acids; required for new cell synthesis, normal blood formation, and neurological function smoothness of the tongue, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms
pantothenic acid as component of coenzyme A, essential for metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat; cofactor for elongation of fatty acids weakness, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbances, restlessness, nausea
biotin cofactor in carbohydrate, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis, neurological symptoms
vitamin C ascorbic acid antioxidant; synthesis of collagen, carnitine, amino acids, and hormones; immune function; enhances absorption of nonheme iron (from plant foods) swollen and bleeding gums, soreness and stiffness of the joints and lower extremities, bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues, slow wound healing, anemia
Fat-soluble vitamins
vitamin alternative names/forms biological function symptoms of deficiency
vitamin A retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, beta-carotene (plant version) normal vision, integrity of epithelial cells (mucous membranes and skin), reproduction, embryonic development, growth, immune response ocular disturbances leading to blindness, growth retardation, dry skin, diarrhea, vulnerability to infection (see vitamin A deficiency)
vitamin D calciferol, calatriol (1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D1 or vitamin D hormone), cholecalciferol (D3; plant version), ergocalciferol (D2; animal version) maintenance of blood calcium and phosphorus levels, proper mineralization of bones defective bone growth in children, soft bones in adults deficiency
vitamin E alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol, tocotrienol antioxidant; interruption of free radical chain reactions; protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids, cell membranes peripheral neuropathy, breakdown of red blood cells
vitamin K phylloquinone, menaquinone, menadione, naphthoquinone synthesis of proteins involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism impaired clotting of the blood and internal bleeding
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Citation Information
Article Title: essential vitamins
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 08 August 2023
URL: https://www.britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/essential-vitamins-2229012
Access Date: November 21, 2024