Folic acid

Folic acid DEFINITION Folic acid belongs to the B group of vitamins and is the supplemental form of folate. Folic acid plays an essential role in human growth and development, in particular cell division and DNA synthesis. The demand for Folic acid increases when human cell growth is very active,… Read Article

Vitamin A

Vitamin A DEFINITION Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for a variety of functions in the body, including maintaining good vision and a healthy immune system. DESCRIPTION Vitamin A is an essential dietary vitamin whose main storage site in the body is in the liver. Vitamin A… Read Article

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 DEFINITION Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin belonging to the B group vitamins. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B1 is essential for the body to be able to use carbohydrate as an energy source as well as for metabolising amino acids. A person’s requirements for Vitamin B1 are… Read Article

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 DEFINITION Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin is a member of the B group vitamins that are essential for the growth and replication of cells in the body. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver. Vitamin B12 is absorbed from the stomach using a… Read Article

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 DEFINITION Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin that is part of the B group vitamins. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B2 is found in very high levels in the kidney and liver. It is used by the body in a large variety of metabolic process and is important… Read Article

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 DEFINITION Niacin (Nicotinic acid or Nicotinamide) is an essential dietary vitamin that belongs to the B group vitamins. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B3 is essential for the activity of many enzymes in the body. Enzymes are special substances that speed up chemical reactions in the body. These enzymes are responsible… Read Article

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 DEFINITION Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the B group vitamins. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B5 is essential for human growth, reproduction and many normal bodily processes. These processes include the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, the production of glucose in the body, the breakdown… Read Article

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 DEFINITION Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is a water-soluble substance that belongs to the B group vitamins. DESCRIPTION Vitamin B6 is involved in the metabolism of fats and amino acids in the body. Amino acids have many uses in the body, including the production of proteins as well as… Read Article

Vitamin D

Vitamin D DEFINITION Vitamin D is a vitamin that is important for the absorption of calcium and the production of strong bones and teeth. DESCRIPTION Vitamin D is important for the proper absorption of calcium from food. It is vital for the control of the levels of calcium in the… Read Article

Vitamin E

Vitamin E DEFINITION Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is well known for its antioxidant properties. DESCRIPTION Vitamin E is the most effective, fat-soluble antioxidant known to occur in the human body. It makes the specialised membranes that enclose the body cells much more stable and helps to protect… Read Article