Understanding of vitamins and minerals - Vitamins are generally classified into fat soluble and water soluble
Our body needs 19 minerals which come from food. 4 percent of body weight made up by minerals
Vitamins are very necessary for our body. It develops our body gradually. Vitamins are generally classified into fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble category is called vitamin ‘A’ and the water soluble is called vitamin ‘B’. When more water soluble vitamins were discovered they were referred to as B1, B2, B6, B12 and so on. Later more vitamins are discovered in both categories, they are referred as vitamins C, D, E and K.
Vitamin A was discovered in the early nineteenth century by Dr. E. McCollum. He carried out experience on rat and found that when butter and egg yolk were added to the diet of a group of rats, they were healthier and stronger as compared to the other group which was fed on lard and vegetable only. Vitamin A occurs naturally in most animal fats. It require for proper growth and normal skeleton development in the body. It is also essential for healthy teeth and sweat glands. It helps for maintenance glowing and soft skin and this vitamin important for proper vision. Lack of this vitamin leads to impaired night blindness. Vitamin A is present in animal food like butter, ghee, whole milk, curd, egg yolk and liver. The liver oil of certain fish like cod, halibut and shark are the richest source of vitamin A.
