Of course, everyone knows that vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. We are regularly told about the need to eat fruits and vegetables, they say, they abound in useful substances. We often hear that during the period of seasonal "dominance" of viruses and bacteria, as well as after physical and mental stress, we need to make up for the deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. And sometimes a simple layman is unaware of why this is necessary. The thing is that not everyone knows what the function of vitamins in the human body is.
Who needs them in the first place?
Surely few people dare to challenge the fact that everyone needs useful substances. The function of vitamins is to maintain the normal functioning of the body. Their deficiency leads to a weakening of he alth, which entails diseases of various types. One way or another, but there are categories of people who need useful substances: children, adolescents, sick, pregnant and lactating women.
However, this does not mean that other people can do withoutthem. The fact is that another important function of vitamins is to strengthen the immune system, which means that every person who cares about their own he alth must take them regularly. However, before considering the role of the above substances in our body, let's define what they are.
What do we know about them?
Vitamins are a special kind of organic compounds that the body is unable to produce on its own. Naturally, this deficiency is compensated with food.
It should be noted that the function of vitamins is different, depending on the structure of the chemical compound. In particular, there are acids, such as, for example, vitamin "C". There are also s alts - vitamin B15. Vitamin A is a high molecular weight alcohol that is sensitive to oxygen and heat.
One part of vitamins is homogeneous chemical compounds, and the other - vitamins "B", "C", "D" - consists of many chemicals.
How do they work?
Nevertheless, let's move on to the main question: "What are the functions of vitamins"?
Almost all of them have a low molecular weight. What does it mean? Only that the main functions of vitamins are complex constructions of all processes occurring in our body. Despite the fact that we need only a small concentration of nutrients, we need vitamins, first of all, because they play a primary role in metabolism, which is a complex system.transformation of food coming from the outside in the form of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, s alts, vitamins and water. First, the food is crushed, then, in the course of organic changes, it is digested, and at the final stage it is transformed into a building material for the formation of new molecules or is converted into energy. It must be emphasized that the supply of building material for cells and providing them with energy are not the functions of vitamins. They only control that the metabolic processes in the body proceed normally. Thanks to the above beneficial substances, biochemical reactions are possible in our body. Their action is equivalent to the action of water, which, having a rarefied structure, can seep into all tissues and organs.
And yet, why are they so needed?
In the figurative sense of the word, the body is a huge chemical enterprise, where energy is produced and the building material for the cells of the body is produced.
Vitamins are an integral part of all living things, they are needed to activate chemical reactions in our tissues. In other words, they act as a catalyst without taking a direct part in these reactions. In particular, they "monitor" the breakdown of food into soluble and simple components, "control" that simple substances are transformed into an energy source. Of course, these are the unique and vital functions of vitamins in the human body. They seem to act as managers: they do not take direct part in the work, but theypresence ensures the coordinated and normal activity of vital systems. This is the invaluable help that vitamins provide for our he alth, the functions in the body of which are not limited to this. On top of that, they activate the process of enzyme formation. Acting as a coenzyme, the vitamin is very mobile: under its influence, all processes in the body proceed very quickly, for example, when it comes to the breakdown of starch.
As already noted, each group of the above beneficial substances affects certain organs and tissues, and their deficiency can lead to he alth problems. So, we have considered two main questions, namely: why vitamins and functions of vitamins are so important for a person. Avitaminosis, unfortunately, is not uncommon now.
Vitamin A
First of all, it promotes the growth of a young organism, improves the condition of the epithelium, affects the formation of the skeleton.
In symbiosis with vitamin C, vitamin A reduces the level of lipids and cholesterol in the blood. Deficiency of this substance leads to dysfunction of the liver, adrenal glands and thyroid gland.
Vitamin B1
Controls fat, protein metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and also activates the process of converting carbohydrates into fat. In addition, vitamin B1 improves the functioning of the digestive system and the heart.
Vitamin B2
This organic compound helps convert fats and carbohydrates into energy. It is on its quantity that the temperament and energy of a person depend.
VitaminВ3
It also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland, liver and adrenal glands. Also, vitamin B3 normalizes the function of the nervous system, with a lack of it, a person experiences a feeling of anxiety.
Vitamin B6
This compound is involved in metabolic processes and the formation of enzymes. In addition, vitamin B6 controls fat metabolism.
Vitamin B12
Has an anti-anemic effect and also regulates metabolism, promotes the normal growth of the child.
Vitamin C
Performs a redox function and is involved in protein metabolism. It also improves immunity and normalizes the psycho-emotional state of a person.
Vitamin D
This element controls the deposition of phosphorus and potassium phosphate in bone tissue, its deficiency leads to tooth decay.
In addition, it improves the function of intestinal absorption of phosphorus and calcium s alts.
Vitamin E
Vital for pregnant women, as it contributes to the normal development of the fetus. It also activates the process of seminal fluid production.
Vitamin PP
Normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, improves liver function: promotes pigment formation, accumulation of glycogen and removal of toxins from the body.
