VITAMINS AND THEIR FUNCTION IN HUMAN BEING Vitamin
Introduction
Vitamins are those organic substance or micro nutrient that required for our body in small amount for normal growth and health. We know that our body requires energy in the form of ATP and that we received by carbohydrates, proteins and fats. One gram of carbohydrates provide 4kcal of energy, one gram of protein provide 4kcal of energy and at last one gram of fat provides 9kcal of energy. The formation of energy from these sources of energy carbohydrates, proteins and fats does not directly into ATP it follow several steps of chemical reactions each step require a cofactor that cofactor is made-up of vitamin. It clearly shows that vitamins is the fuel of macronutrients that use it to form energy or it regulate the function or activities of body.
Vitamins are not only involve in the chemical reaction as a cofactor however it also perform several activities in the body like hormone, antioxidant and visual role.
Types of vitamins
1. Fat soluble
Those vitamins they dissolved in fat and also store in human body is called fat soluble vitamins e.g A,D,E and K.
2. Water soluble
Those vitamins they dissolved in water and doesn't store in human body( except Vitamin B9) is called water soluble vitamin e.g B and C.
Introduction of vitamin D ( Calciferol)
*Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin because it is dissolve in fat it is also called Calciferol.
* Vitamin D discovered in 20th of century
* It is discovered from those children they were living in industrial area and affected by rickets( weakness of bone).
* Vitamin D is unique among the vitamin because being a vitamin it is also functioning as a hormone.
* It is stored in liver and adipose tissue.
* It is unique because it obtain from the food as well as synthesized by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight.
* It is essential for human body to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism both are responsible for the development of human teeth , bones , nerve transmission , muscle function and cellular function
Function of vitamin D
1. Calcium absorption
* Increase the absorption of calcium in small intestine.
* There are small receptor or calcium binding protein inside the small intestine their main function is to enhance calcium absorption here Vitamin D increase vitamin binding protein as a result the absorption of vitamin D increase.
2. Bone mineralization
* Vitamin D play a vital role in the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals( natural inorganic mineral of bone and teeth made up of calcium and phosphate.
* It deposit mineral in bone to make it strong
* It remodel bone after change in structure
3. Homeostasis of phosphorus
* It increase intestinal absorption of phosphorus and reduce renal excretion through these process make a suitable environment for bone health through normal mineral concentration.
4. Strength and function of muscle
* Receptor Vitamin D are present in muscle cell.
* it reduce muscle pain
* Improved muscle contraction
For more about strength of muscle https://www.healthduhs.org/2026/01/benefits-of-exercise-and-its-impact-on.html
5. Regulation of immune system
* It activate macrophages
* It regulate T-cell activity
* Stimulate antimicrobial peptide( antibody)
* Reduce information
* Help to prevent from autoimmune disease
* Reduce the risk of diabetes if vitamin will be taken in adequate level
* prevent from Rheumatoid arthritis ( conditions in which immune system attack on the joint of body)
* In diabetes it make the cell more sensitive to insulin
* Enhance insulin secretion from beta cells of pancreas
For move about diabetes visit this link
https://www.healthduhs.org/2026/01/diabetes-and-its-impact-on-human-being.html
6. Cardiovascular system
* Regulation of blood pressure
* Prevent Atherosclerosis ( narrowing of artery )
* Suppression of Renin- angiotensin system ( high renin and angiotensin increase blood pressure)
7. Role in mental health
* Vitamin D receptors are present in the brain of human.
* It protect the neuron
* It synthesized neurotransmitter
* It regulate the mood of a person
8. Cancer protection
* It enhance apoptosis in which it help them to recognize the age of cell if they cross their life time it force them to die.
* It regulate the growth of cell
* It prevent the uncontrolled division
9. Role in pregnancy
Role for mother
*Bone health
* Immune support
* Regulate mood ( prevent from depression)
* Reduce risk of blood pressure high in gestation period
* Prevent from Gestational diabetes
Role of vitamin D for a developing children
* Bone development
* Teeth development
*Immune development
* Brain development
* Prevent from rickets
There are two subtypes of Vitamin D
1. Vitamin D2
* Ergocalciferol
* It is that type of vitamin that is present in plant.
* Also available in some fortified food
* Mushroom is also a source of vitamin D2
2. Vitamin D3
* Cholecalceferol
* Synthesized in human skin by exposing with the sunlight and also present in some animal food
Sources of Vitamin D
There are three main sources of vitamin D
Food, supplement and sunlight
1. Food source
*Beef liver
* Cheese
*Eggs yolk
*Fatty fish
* Dairy milk
* Fortified milk
* Mushroom
* Fortified Orange juice
2. Sunlight source
* By exposing your self with sunlight for 20-30 minutes in a day or in a week is enough for the production Vitamin D in the skin
* Skin in which face, hands and feet are include
3. Supplement
* Tablet, drop and capsule are available in the market
* Vitamin D3 tablet
*Calcimax 3
* D-ped
* Vigantol oil
* Calcirol D capsule
References
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