Vitamins and minerals form a vital part of the human diet. These nutrients are found in food and drinks, and are essential for all body functions, growth and repair (particularly after injury or illness)
Vitamins
Vitamins are usually divided into two groups: water soluble and fat soluble
Water soluble
| B Vitamins | - Thiamin |
These vitamins are not stored in the human body and are easily destroyed by heat (e.g. from cooking) or by oxidation when exposed to air (e.g.if chopped vegetables are left out for a long while before being used) or through exposure to light. |
| - Niacin | ||
| - Riboflavin | ||
| Vitamin B6 | ||
| Vitamin B12 | ||
| Folate | ||
| Vitamin C | ||
These are stored in fat within the body.Large doses of vitamin A and D should be avoided. |
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| Fat soluble | ||
| Vitamin A | ||
| Vitamin D | ||
| Vitamin E | ||
Some vitamins occur only or mainly in food of animal origin, such as vitamin A and B12, whereas others occur largely in foods of plant origin such as Vitamin C.
It is worth noting that although it is essential to achieve enough of each vitamin, excessive intake may be of little benefit and could be harmful, especially for children.