With thirteen essential vitamins to be aware of, all with their own roles to play in the body, it’s safe to say that there’s plenty to learn about them! We’re here to take you through six interesting facts that you might not already know about vitamins. These facts will help you to understand more about the role of vitamins and how they work in the body.
1. There Are Different Types Of Vitamins
While there are thirteen different vitamins to be aware of, they actually break down into two separate groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins dissolver directly in water. Two of the most popular water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and all of the B vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, require small amounts of fat to be absorbed by the body. This is why fat-soluble multivitamin tablets are often advised to be taken alongside a meal. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K.
2. They Are Found In Foods
Have you ever wondered why we must maintain such a healthy and balanced diet? To meet your nutritional needs, that’s why!
The majority of essential vitamins can be found in a wide variety of foods, making it all the more easier to obtain them through diet. While those following strict diets might need supplementation to fill in the missing gaps, the majority of us will do just fine absorbing what we need through food. The NHS Eatwell Guide can assist you here, highlighting exactly what’s expected from a balanced diet.
3. They Are Measured In 3 Types Of Units
When looking at supplements, you will usually find three different units: mg, mcg and IU:
- Mg: a milligram is 1 thousandth of a gram.
- μg or mcg: a microgram is 1 millionth of a gram. 1,000 micrograms is equal to 1 milligram.
- IU: an international unit is an internationally accepted amount of a substance.
4. One Vitamin Comes From The Sun
While most vitamins can be found in foods, there is one that actually comes from the sun! When exposed to strong enough sunlight, your skin uses a special reaction to generate vitamin D. This can be a problem during the winter, however, which is why it is strongly advised to take vitamin D supplements.
5. Multivitamins Help To Safeguard Your Intake
Many people take multivitamins to safeguard their vitamin intake. This is one of the main reasons as to why multivitamins exist – they contain just the right amount of specific vitamins to meet your sufficient needs.
6. There Are 8 B Vitamins
Did you know that there are eight B vitamins? These are:
- Thiamine (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Niacin (B3)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Biotin (B7)
- Folate (B9)
- Cobalamin (B12)
When combined, these vitamins are known as something called the B complex. Each B vitamin has a different role to play in the body, whether that be contributing to energy production or supporting the immune system. And yes – they’re all just as important as each other!
