Vitamins

Definition

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for normal growth, metabolism, and overall health. They must be obtained through the diet as the body either does not produce them or produces them in insufficient amounts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are 13 essential vitamins, including both water-soluble (B-complex and C) and fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) varieties.
2. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to specific diseases; for example, a lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, while a deficiency in vitamin D can result in rickets.
3. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and need to be consumed regularly, whereas fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in fatty tissues and the liver.
4. Some vitamins act as antioxidants which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
5. Nurses must understand the role of vitamins in preventing chronic diseases and promoting overall health to provide holistic patient care.

Review Questions

• What are the two categories of vitamins based on their solubility?
• Which vitamin deficiency is associated with scurvy?
• Why is it important for nurses to have knowledge about vitamins?

Related terms

Micronutrients: Nutrients required by the body in small amounts for proper functioning and health maintenance.

Antioxidants: Compounds that inhibit oxidation and combat free radical damage in the body.

Deficiency Disease: A condition caused by the lack of an essential nutrient, such as a vitamin or mineral.