Classification of Vitamins: Water Soluble and Fat Soluble Vitamins Characteristics, Sources

Are there days when you feel exhausted and good even after getting proper sleep? 

Well! When the three S's — sleep, stress, and illness — fail to explain why you're exhausted, it's time to get your vitamin D levels checked. This vitamin is unlike any other. When your skin is exposed to the sun, your body produces it, but it isn't found naturally in many foods. Similar to Vitamin D, there are many other vitamins which are important for the proper functioning of our body. When a poor diet leaves your body short on the nutrients it needs for a long time, it’ll send a sign. You can reverse most of these issues with foods rich in the missing nutrient.

Let’s try to understand them in detail now.

Table of Contents:

• Vitamins
• Classification of Vitamins
• Sources of Vitamins
• Vitamin Deficiencies
• Practice Problems on Vitamins
• FAQ's on Vitamins

Vitamins

Organic compounds required in the diet in small amounts to perform specific biological functions for normal maintenance of optimum growth and health of the organism are known as Vitamins. Most vitamins cannot be synthesised in our bodies. All the vitamins are generally available in our diet.

Classification of Vitamins

Vitamins can be classified as

Let’s understand what water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins are.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

These are insoluble in fat and oil but soluble in water. Water-soluble vitamins are easy to ingest on a regular basis. They can be found in a variety of meals, particularly green vegetables and fresh fruits. Various examples of water-soluble vitamins are discussed below:

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

They are stored in the fat cells and as the name suggests, these vitamins require fat in order to be absorbed. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. They are stored in fatty tissue. Various examples are discussed below:

Sources of Vitamins

Organic compounds are numerous in both plants and animals, and they play an important role in growth and development as well as overall health. This table depicts many types of vitamins as well as their sources.

Vitamin Deficiencies

A well-balanced diet is extremely important for a person's overall health. Any dietary imbalance could result in an excess or insufficient consumption of particular nutrients. A deficiency disease can result from a lack of a certain nutrient. Some of the deficiency diseases that can be caused by some vitamin-deficient diet are given below.

Practice Problems on Vitamins
 

Question 1. Which of the following food sources has the highest levels of vitamin C?

a. Parsley
b. Broccoli
c. Black currants
d. Orange juice

Answer: Black currants.
Option C is the correct answer. 

Question 2. Which of the following vitamin helps in blood clotting?

a. Vitamin A
b. Vitamin
c. Vitamin D
d. Vitamin K

Answer: Vitamin.
Option D is the correct answer. 

Question 3. Which is the leading cause of blindness in children worldwide?

a. Glaucoma
b. Cataracts
c. Colour blindness
d. Vitamin A deficiency

Answer: Vitamin K
Option D is the correct answer. 

Question 4.  Which of the following vitamin deficiency causes Beriberi?

a. Vitamin B1
b. Vitamin B2
c. Vitamin B6
d. Vitamin B12

Answer: Vitamin B1
Option A is the correct answer. 

Question 5. Who is most likely to develop scurvy – a Vitamin C deficiency?

a. A pregnant woman
b. A malnourished child
c. A long-time alcoholic
d. A person with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa

Answer: A long-time alcoholic
Option C is the correct answer.

Question 6. Which of the following is a Fat-Soluble Vitamin?

a. Vitamin B
b. Vitamin C
c. Vitamin B12
d. Vitamin K

Answer: Vitamin K
Option D is the correct answer.

Question 7. Which of the following Vitamins is also known as Cobalamin?

a. Vitamin B11
b. Vitamin B2
c. Vitamin B6
d. Vitamin B12

Answer: Vitamin B12
Option D is the correct answer.

Question 8. Which of the following is the scientific name of Vitamin K?

a. Ascorbic acid
b. Phytonadione
c. Tocopherol
d. Pantothenic Acid

Answer: Phytonadione
Option B is the correct answer.

FAQ's on Vitamins
 

Question 1. What are the differences between Vitamins and Minerals?

Answer: Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients required by the body. These nutrients perform several roles in the body. These are not produced by the body in larger amounts, therefore, need to be taken through food. Some of the differences between them are given in the table.

Question 2. Why are Vitamins important for us?

Answer: Vitamins aid in the production of energy by ensuring that carbohydrates and lipids are appropriately used. Vitamins are essential for human survival as the human body cannot create them on its own (except for vitamin D and Vitamin B3). As a result, it should be obtained in sufficient quantities from other sources, such as the foods we eat, vitamin capsules, and so on. Vitamins can be present in a variety of foods, including meat, leafy green vegetables, and fruits.

Question 3. I know that carrots are healthy and have lots of vitamin A. But I’ve also heard that too much vitamin A can be dangerous, so do I need to limit how many carrots I eat?

Answer: Vitamin A can be toxic at high doses, causing liver damage and birth defects if a woman is pregnant. However, this applies only to the form of vitamin A—called preformed vitamin A or retinol—that is found in foods from animals, such as beef liver, milk, milk products, and some dietary supplements. Plant foods, such as carrots, spinach, and red peppers, contain a form of vitamin A called beta-carotene. Consuming high amounts of beta-carotene can turn the skin yellow-orange, but this condition is harmless. Beta-carotene does not cause birth defects or the other more serious effects caused by getting too much-preformed vitamin A. So enjoy plenty of carrots and other fruits and vegetables without worrying about getting too much vitamin A.

Question 4. I know bananas contain potassium. Can I get enough potassium by eating a banana every day?

Answer: Bananas do have a lot of potassium compared to many other foods but eating one banana a day won’t meet your potassium needs alone. A medium banana has about 420 milligrams (mg) of potassium, so you would have to eat at least 6 to 8 bananas to meet the 2,600 to 3,400 mg of potassium that adults should get each day. Obviously, that’s not the best approach. Instead, eat a nutritious variety of foods that contain potassium to ensure you get enough of this important nutrient.

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