Free Essay Example on Vitamins: Water & Fat Soluble, A-K, Benefits & Dangers

Introduction

Vitamins are crucial macronutrients that bodies need in measured quantities to support a crucial function. Vitamins come in two classes: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. There are four soluble vitamins, namely, A, D, E, and K, which reside in the liver and fatty tissues. The category of fat-soluble vitamins is not easily eliminated from the body. Fat-soluble vitamins have toxicity, which poses a danger to people (Arnarson).

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Vitamin A

Retinol is another name for Vitamin A. It performs various functions in the body, such as helping the eyes adapt to light changes and crucial in bone growth and development. Vitamin A is also responsible for the regulation of the immune system.

There are various sources for vitamin A in varieties of food. There are also vitamin A supplements, although the best range of vitamin A is food nutrients. Animal products are rich sources of Vitamin A, such as fish and liver. Plants are also sources of vitamin A, and they perform the function of detoxifying the body. Beta-carotene is found in fruits and vegetables, especially those that are green and orange in color. Dark green leafy vegetables, winter squash pumpkins, and carrots are all rich sources of vitamin A.

Various studies show that this category of vitamin requirements can increase because of infection, fever, hyperthyroidism, and exposure to excessive sunlight. People who suffer from a renal condition or drink alcohol excessively need to increase the intake of Vitamin A for them to remain healthy.

Lack of enough vitamins in the body can result in deficiencies that alter the way our body functions. These deficiencies are common in the developing world due to malnutrition. An excellent example of a Vitamin A deficiency disease is exophthalmia, which is an eye disease. The eye gets dry and tears ducts and the eyes. The disease develops gradually as night blindness and grows to form white spots on the eyes and even ulcers in the cornea. The condition is reversible through vitamin A therapy (Sadhwani, 2019).

Vitamin A deficiency is a risk factor for measles. Measles is a health world burden. To prevent the occurrence of measles, children are given Vaccines. In 2019 alone, Canada recorded 111 cases of measles. To reverse the condition, a prescription of Vitamin A is appropriate.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps the body in making use of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium by the intestines, which help in maintaining bones. The vitamin controls the body's immunity, cell growth, and protection against osteoporosis and other conditions such as cancer. Milk and dairy products are rich sources of this vitamin. The sun is also a source of vitamin D.

Lack of Vitamin D in the body result in conditions such as rickets and flattening of the back of the skull. Studies have proved that more than 50% of the world's population is affected by the lack of Vitamin D. This has been linked to extended indoor activities that deny people access to sunlight.

Rickets is a condition that affects the bone due to lack of Vitamin D. The risk factors for rickets are age, diet, skin color, geographical location, and genes. The most conspicuous symptom of this disease is a pain in the bones, stunted growth, and skeletal deformities (Sadhwani, 2019). Vitamin D prescription is a treatment for rickets. Plagiocephaly is a condition caused by vitamin D deficiencies, which causes the flattening of the skull. People with this condition have a symmetrical distortion of the head.

Vitamin E

Tocopherol benefits the body through detoxification. Vitamin E protects the body against infections. Research indicates that adequate consumption of vitamin E can help fight cancer and heart disease. Soybeans, cottonseed, and cons are rich sources of vitamin E (Kemnic, 2020).

The most affected population with vitamin E deficiency are infants and those people who cannot absorb fat. Vegetable oil offers the safest source of vitamin E oil. Limited Vitamin E in the body can cause muscle weakness and numbness and tingling. Since the vitamin is crucial to the central nervous system, the body becomes weak when it does not get enough of this vitamin (Arnarson). When a person does not have enough vitamin E, they can suffer from numbness and tingling due to damage to nerve fibers, which prevent the nerves from transmitting signals correctly, thus creating sensations (Kemnic, 2020).

Vitamin K

A specific harmless bacteria in the intestines produce this vitamin, which performs an important function in the formation of blood clots and the promotion of the production of proteins for blood and bone health. Green leafy vegetables are rich sources of vitamin K such as turnip, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

Lack of sufficient vitamin K in the body can cause bleeding. Vitamin K deficiency is common in infants and populations that take anticoagulants. Antibiotics drugs in the body can also reduce the amount of vitamin K in a person's intestine (Sadhwani, 2019). The primary symptom of the illness is excessive bleeding due to the inability of the blood to clot. People with vitamin K deficiency bruise easily and have small blood clots appearing under the nails.

Conclusion

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are essential for the normal functioning of the body. Without these vitamins, many diseases such as measles, hemorrhage, and rickets may arise. Eating a balanced diet will help want to get enough of all the categories of vitamins.

References

Arnarson, A. (2017, February 16) The Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E, and K. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fat-soluble-vitamins

Kemnic, T. R. (2020, April 28). Vitamin E Deficiency. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519051/

Sadhwani, S. (2019, March 28). Fat-Soluble Vitamins – Dietary Sources and Deficiency Symptoms. Ayurtimes. https://www.ayurtimes.com/fat-soluble-vitamins/