About Vitamins

Vitamins and minerals are substances that are found in foods we eat. Your body needs them to work properly, so you grow and develop just like you should. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. For example: There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble. When you eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They go and wait around in your body fat until your body needs them.

Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile - some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when its time for them to be used, special carriers in your body take them to where theyre needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins are different. When you eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins dont get stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. And whatever your body doesnt use comes out when you urinate.

So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often because they dont like to stick around! This crowd of vitamins includes vitamin C and the big group of B vitamins - B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Vitamins Feed Your Needs Your body is one powerful machine, capable of doing all sorts of things by itself. But one thing it cant do is make vitamins.

Thats where food comes in. Your body is able to get the vitamins it needs from the foods you eat because different foods contain different vitamins.

Though some kids take a daily vitamin, most kids dont need one if theyre eating healthy foods.

Now, lets look more closely at vitamins - from A to K: Vitamin A This vitamin plays a really big part in eyesight. Its great for night vision, like when youre trick-or-treating on Halloween. Vitamin A helps you see in color, too, from the brightest yellow to the darkest purple. In addition, it helps you grow properly and aids in healthy skin.

Which foods are rich in vitamin A?

eggs milk apricots nectarines cantaloupe carrots sweet potatoes spinach The B Vitamins Theres more than one B vitamin.

Heres the list: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Whew - thats quite a group!

The B vitamins are important in metabolic (say: meh-tuh-bah-lik) activity - this means that they help make energy and set it free when your body needs it. So the next time youre running to third base, thank those B vitamins.

This group of vitamins is also involved in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Every part of your body needs oxygen to work properly, so these B vitamins have a big job.

Which foods are rich in vitamin B?

whole grains, such as wheat and oats fish and seafood poultry and meats eggs dairy products, like milk and yogurt leafy ...