A Basic Vitamin List

The following vitamin list contains the most important and well-known vitamins. Vitamins are micronutrients, which means that your body only needs small amounts to maintain good health. Vitamins work together to perform a particular function. It is often ineffective to merely focus on one particular vitamin when trying to deal with a health problem. For example, the following vitamin list shows that several vitamins are necessary for maintaining healthy skin.

Vitamin A is known for helping night vision and other aspects of the eye. Like most vitamins, it also affects a number of other parts of the body in that it is necessary for healthy bones and teeth. Surprisingly, the best Vitamin A is beta carotene which is not really a vitamin at all; it is a precursor, which simply means that the liver uses beta carotene to manufacture Vitamin A.

Vitamin B-complex is a group of interdependent vitamins that should be taken together. A deficiency in one of the B vitamins possibly indicates a deficiency in one of the other B vitamins. If you are trying to treat a particular malady by taking more of one of these vitamins, only do so for a short time or the body may be thrown out of balance. The following B vitamins are water soluble and as such can only be stored in your body for about 48 hours; the one exception is that your liver can store a several year's supply of Vitamin B12. Elderly persons have more need of supplementing B vitamins because they are harder to absorb as we get older.

-= Individual B Vitamin List =-

Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. Thiamine is especially valuable as an aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is necessary for red blood cell formation. As such, it is an important factor in the growth and development of the body. It works with vitamin A to promote the health of the skin, hair, and eyes. As a digestive aid, it helps to assimilate iron and proteins.

Vitamin B3 is known as niacin but it is also called niacinamide or nicotinic acid. This vitamin is helpful for good blood circulation and your skin. If you take too much of this supplement, you may experience a flushing of the skin which usually lasts only a few minutes.

Vitamin B5 is also called pantothenic acid. It is needed for the proper functioning of the digestive system. Because pantothenic acid has a major affect on the adrenal gland, it is a good stress reducer. It is essential for growth because it helps to convert food to energy.

Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. It activates many enzymes and helps to calm the nerves. It is also an important aid in preventing tooth decay.

Vitamin B7 is better known as biotin and it used to be called vitamin H. This vitamin is a power cellular stimulant and it is needed for healthy hair and skin.

Vitamin B9 is often called folic acid or folate. An old vitamin list might identify folate by the obsolete name of Vitamin M. You might have already heard of this vitamin as the “brain food” vitamin. It helps to strengthen the immune system and provides essential nutrition during pregnancy. Cooking destroys folate.

Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin because it contains cobalt. It is required to prevent anemia and it aids folic acid in building red blood cells.

Vitamin C is a popular vitamin that comes from ascorbic acid. It is often used to ward off colds but it is also important for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Ester-C is the most effective form of this vitamin.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because daily exposure to the sun will provide most people with all that they need of this important vitamin, provided they aren't wearing sunscreen. Those who live in northern climates may need to supplement this vitamin in the winter time. This vitamin is needed for normal bone and tooth development and it is also important for pregnant women.

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant for preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is necessary for healthy skin and hair and also used for tissue repair. It is a known fact that the natural form of vitamin E is more effective than the synthetic form.

Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. It is also essential in bone formation and repair.

Vitamin P is an obsolete name for what is now called bioflavonoid. It is not a true vitamin but it is essential for the absorption of vitamin C. Because of this, it helps to prevent scurvy and strengthens capillary walls.

Even though the above vitamin list may not list all vitamins, it is a list of vitamins that you are most likely to find or need knowledge of.

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