Why Vitamins in meals are important (pt1)

Vitamins are organic compounds required as vital nutrients in tiny amounts in the body. they are essential micro nutrients the body needs for growth and development, cellular, bone and immune system function, maintenance of health and prevention of diseases Vitamins are organic substances, because they are produced in plants and animals and deficiencies or excess amounts of vitamins can increase the risk of health problems. In other words, an organic chemical compound (or related set of compounds) is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism and must be obtained from the diet. As we know there are 13 vitamins essentially recognized at present.
Classification of vitamins
Vitamins are classified based on their biological and chemical activity and not according to their structure and are named under an alphabetized vitamin “generic descriptor title”.
There is therefore vitamin A, the B-complex which includes B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 and B12, C, D, E and K. these 13 vitamins are further grouped as either fat-soluble vitamins or water-soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K and are so-called; because they are nutrients the body can store in the liver or fat cells and are used when needed.
The body does not store water soluble vitamins and so consume them immediately to avoid deficiencies and reduce the risk of associated diseases and conditions, so there is need to get them from food every day. They are the B vitamins. B1, B2, B3, B6 and C.
Functions and Importance of Vitamins
Vitamins perform diverse biochemical functions. Some perform like hormones; as regulator of cells and tissue growth and differentiation like some forms of Vitamin A. They also function as antioxidants like Vitamin E and sometimes vitamin C. The largest number, the B complex vitamins function as precursors for enzyme co-factors that help enzymes in their work as catalysts in metabolism. In this role, vitamins may be tightly bound enzymes as part of prosthetic groups. For example, biotin is among enzymes involved in making fatty acids. Vitamins may also be less tightly bound enzyme catalysts like co-enzymes and detachable molecules. For example, folic acid carries various forms of carbon group-methyl, formyl and methylene-in cells. Although these roles in assisting enzymes-substrate reactions are vitamins best known function, their other functions are equally important.