Vitamins

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most vitamins cannot be manufactured in our bodies; exceptions are some of the B vitamins which can be made by some of our intestinal bacteria

and the occasional biochemical conversions from a precursor the active form of the required vitaminas when beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A

Vitamins are not sources of energy (calories).

We obtain our energy from macronutrients carbohydrates, fats, protein -

Vitamins help to convert macronutrients to more bioavalable, or metabolically useful forms.

Vitamins function principally as coenzymes for a variety of metabolic reactions and biochemical mechanisms within our many bodily systems.

Each enzyme is specific to one biochemical reaction reaction.

Vitamins speed up chemical reaction

vitamins are NOT part of our body tissue - they are NOT building blocks but helpers in metabolism

So that means we need food that provides energy and forms the tissues of our body and vitamins to help metabolize the food (macronutrients)

Vitamins are essential for growth, vitality and health and are helpful in digestionelimination and resistance to disease.

Depletions and deficiencies can lead to a variety of both specific nutirtional disorders and general health problems according to what vitamins are lacking.

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Water soluble vitamins

B vitamins and vitamin C - are lost when cooked bc very sensitive to heat.

water soluble vitamins can also be lost from raw food as well cause they can be sensitive to air \, light, and the passage of time.

The more time that passes between harvast and eating the more likely water soluble vitmains are lost. "hence" fresh locally grown.

Commonly forunf in vegetable foods.

Not stored in the body. Less toxic for body

water soluble vitamins act in the body as coenzymes in combination with inactive protein to ake an active enzyme.

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Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K found in the lipoid component of both vegetables and animals source foods.

Grains - Seeds and Nuts contain vitamin E

Many vegetables contain vitamin A or its precurosur beta-carotene and can be stored in bodily tissues - so we can function longer without obtaining them - regular intake of these can cause toxic levels; more so with vitamin , D and K - less likely in vitamin E because it is used regularly by the body as a antioxidant helping to protect the body against harmful by-products of metabolism and outside pollutants

vitamin A adds cellular protection as well as resistance to infection. After injury or before and after surgery extra nutritional supplement may be helpful in supporting rapid healing. minimally vitaminA vitaminC and zinc can help tissue repair and very likely lessen the chance of infection after injury or surgery.

Vitamin D aid in absorption of calcium from the gut and thus is important to skeletal health

vitamin K helps make factors crucial to clot blood and prevent bleeding.