Vitamins are a group of low molecular weight bio compounds of different chemical nature, which are necessary for the existence of a living organism in very small concentrations compared to basic foods. The primary source of vitamins in most cases are plants. Water-soluble vitamins in the body of humans and animals come from food.
The complete absence of vitamins in the human diet or a violation of the processes of their absorption leads to the development of vitamin deficiencies, an insufficient amount of vitamins in food provokes the development of hypovitaminosis, an excessive amount of hypervitaminosis. This negatively affects most metabolic reactions, leads to inhibition of growth and development processes, and immunological resistance decreases.
Fat and water soluble vitamins are metabolic regulators. Of the many vitamins in the body, enzymes are synthesized - biocatalysts, through which metabolic reactions are carried out. Hypo- and vitamin deficiencies can be caused by the presence in the food of anti-vitamins - structural analogues of vitamins: they displace vitamins from certain metabolic reactions and are not able to fulfill their functions. In addition, anti-vitamins can be compounds that inactivate vitamins, breaking them down into simple substances, or form chemically inactive complexes with vitamins.
There are several classifications of vitamins. The main ones are physical and chemical. According to the physical classification, vitamins soluble in fats are called fat-soluble ones that dissolve in water - water-soluble. This classification is universally recognized. The chemical classification of vitamins is based on the nature of the structure of the molecules: vitamins of the heterocyclic series, alicyclic series, aliphatic series, aromatic series.
Water-soluble vitamins are highly soluble in water, while practically insoluble in fats and organic solvents. They are thermolabile (they break down at high temperatures) and cannot be deposited in the body.
Vitamins are water soluble. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is built from pyrimidine and thiazole derivatives. The richest in them are yeast, cabbage, spinach, carrots, peas, beans, kidneys, eggs, whey. This vitamin can also be synthesized by intestinal microflora. It takes part in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. With its deficiency, the function of the heart and nervous system is disturbed, muscle cramps are possible.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) plays a key role in the metabolic processes in the body as it is a coenzyme of a number of enzymes that are involved in the processes of tissue respiration.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is a pyridine derivative that is part of amitransferase and decarboxylase enzymes. Aminotransferases transfer amino groups from one acid to another. Decarboxylases catalyze the hydrolysis of the carboxyl group. A lack of vitamin provokes the development of dermatological diseases.
Nicotinamide (Vitamin B5) is a nicotinic acid amide , an integral part of codehydrases that cleave Hydrogen from organic substances. With a lack of vitamin, dermatitis develops.
Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) has a complex chemical structure. The central atom is cobalt. It takes part in hematopoiesis. With a deficiency of cyanocobalamin in the body, alimentary anemia develops.
Water-soluble vitamins - ascorbic acid. This vitamin is widely used to treat scurvy. A significant amount of the vitamin is found in citruses, rosehips, black currants, horseradish, apples, swede, tomatoes, etc.
Vitamins of group D are fat-soluble. To date, water-soluble vitamin D has been synthesized. It is known that cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) can be synthesized in our body as a result of sunlight. Our body is especially sensitive to D-hypovitaminosis, especially in the autumn-winter period. This is especially pronounced in infants. What are the benefits of a water soluble fraction of vitamin D3? An aqueous solution of vitamin D3 is better absorbed in the digestive tract compared to oil solutions. An aqueous solution of cholecalciferol is especially popular in pediatrics.