VitaminsRock.com - The Vitaminformation site!
The term vitamin has its roots in the Latin "vita" meaning "life". This is highly appropriate as one of the defining characteristics of a vitamin is its necessity for our survival. Our bodies, for the most part, do not produce their own vitamins, so we must ingest them as part of our daily diet. When present in our bodies in the proper amounts, vitamins aid and promote in all aspects of our body functions, from digestion and metabolizing of our food to bone and muscle growth. When absent, the consequences can be crippling or fatal. Given the importance of vitamins to our health, fitness and physical welfare, it is surprising that this is a field many neglect or entirely ignore in the daily care and feeding of their bodies. This page should give the reader a general overview of vitamins, their sources and benefits, and the consequences of running low on the critical "life fuel" they provide.
Vitamin Types
There are two main types of vitamins: "Water Soluble" and "Fat Soluble". Fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) are stored in you body's fat tissues. They can remain there for months until they are needed. Water soluble vitamins (vitamin C and the B vitamins) are dissolved into your blood stream once ingested and, if not used up right away, leave your body through your urinary tract. Choose one of the links below to find out more about each class of vitamins.
Water Soluble Vitamins Fat Soluble Vitamins