What is a vitamin? What are its types?

Vitamins:

1. Vitamins are organic molecules that the body needs in trace amounts to carry out certain cellular processes.
2. They are not synthesized by humans and, therefore, must be supplied by the diet.

Types of vitamins:

1. Water-soluble vitamins - They are all precursors of coenzyme (except Vitamin C)

• Thiamine (Vitamin B₁)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B₂)
• Niacin
• Biotin
• Pantothenic acid
• Folic acid
• Cobalmin (Vitamin B₁₂)
• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B₆)
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

2. Fat-soluble vitamins - These vitamins are released, absorbed, and transported with the fat in the diet. Only vitamin K has a coenzyme function.

• Retinol (Vitamin A)
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin E