A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet.

Are there different types of vitamins?

 Yes. Vitamins can be classified as fat soluble or water soluble vitamins?

Why should I know about the types of vitamins?

Fat soluble vitamins require fatty substances to metabolize them, therefore tend to get accumulated in the body. Overdose of fat soluble vitamins can themselves cause problems. The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K. Water soluble vitamins are easily metabolized and excreted from the body and therefore have a lesser chance of being accumulated in the body. The B group of vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble.

Are vitamins important?

Vitamins have a wide range of functions, from acting as important co enzymes in chemical reactions to actually functioning as hormones. Therefore optimal levels of vitamins are extremely important for the human body.

Are vitamins important in childhood too?

 Not only are vitamins important in childhood, but are important even before the child is born. These nutrients facilitate the chemical reactions that produce among other things, skin, bone, and muscle. If there is serious deficiency in one or more of these nutrients, a child may develop a deficiency disease. Even minor deficiencies may cause permanent damage.

Are foods the only source of vitamins?

 For the most part, vitamins are obtained with food, but a few are obtained by other means. For example, microorganisms in the intestine—commonly known as "gut flora"—produce vitamin K and biotin, while one form of vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the help of the natural ultraviolet wavelength of sunlight. However these are not sufficient for the body and therefore food sources of vitamins are extremely essential.