Vitamins (Lat. Vita - Life)

vital activity are called vitamins. Their name comes from the Latin word "vita", which means "life". Vitamins are essential nutrients that help maintain health and well-being.

Vitamins belong to the class of organic compounds, that is, compounds containing carbon. They are not synthesized by the body on its own, so they must be supplied with food or additionally in the form of dietary supplements. There are 13 types of vitamins, which are divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble.

Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B vitamins (such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin). These vitamins cannot be stored in the body, so they must be constantly obtained from food. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. They can be stored in the body's fat tissues, so too much of them can also be harmful to health.

Vitamins play an important role in ensuring normal body function. For example, vitamin C helps protect the body from free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to the development of various diseases. B vitamins are involved in metabolism and energy production, while vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, vision and the immune system.

Insufficient amounts of vitamins in the body can lead to various diseases. For example, a lack of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis, and a lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy. On the other hand, excess of some vitamins can also be harmful to health.

Therefore, it is important to get enough vitamins from food and, if necessary, supplement them with dietary supplements. It is worth remembering that it is best to get vitamins from natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat, fish and dairy products.

Vitamins are key nutritional elements that help maintain health and well-being. They play an important role in normal body function and help prevent many diseases. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you get enough vitamins from food and take care of your health.