Vitamins are organic compounds as well as vital nutrients which humans require in limited amounts. A set of compounds is termed as vitamins when a living organism is unable to synthesize the compound in sufficient quantities, and instead must be attained through the diet. In other word vitamins and vitamin, ingredients are needed in small amounts to sustain life and to maintain bodily functions such as immunity and metabolism. There are total 13 types of vitamins which a body needs, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate). One can generally obtain all these vitamins from the food, however, when foods fail to provide the required nutrients, he/she has to rely on the vitamins supplements. The vitamin ingredients market analysis suggests that globally majority of the population is consuming vitamin supplements and adapting to healthier lifestyles.
In humans, there are 9 water-soluble vitamins (8 B vitamins and vitamin C), and 4 fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
Fat-soluble – These vitamin ingredients are absorbed with the help of the intestinal tract along with the help of lipids (fats) and are stored in the body’s cells. Since fat-soluble vitamins are more likely to get accumulated in the body, they are more likely to result in hypervitaminosis (which can be toxic) as compared to water-soluble vitamins. The human body is quite sensitive to excess of vitamin A from animal sources (retinol) and too much vitamin D. A well-balanced diet generally provides a good amount of fat-soluble vitamins.
Water-soluble – These vitamins dissolve easily in water and travel freely through the body and any excess amount is easily excreted by the kidneys. Since they do not get stored in the body, constant intake in small doses is essential. Water-soluble vitamins do not lead to toxicity, however, vitamin B6, folate, niacin, and vitamin C have slightly upper consumption limit. Constant intake of excess vitamin B6 for a prolonged period has proven to cause permanent nerve damage. Most of the water-soluble vitamins are synthesized by bacteria.