The human body is one of the most amazing forms of matter on the planet. It is not the fastest but it has traveled the world. It is not the biggest but it dominated all habitable lands. And it is not the strongest but it has survived for thousands of years. Yet, with so many accomplishments, the human body cannot create its own food. It relies on plants and animals for its source of nutrients, minerals, and especially, vitamins.

The human body needs vitamins so that it will grow and develop. The human body must have vitamins so that it can function properly and can fight diseases. For example, vitamin D is needed to help the bones become stronger and to prevent rickets. Vitamin A is important to have good eyesight. And vitamin C is needed to help a wound heal faster.

There are two types or groups of vitamins. One group is called “water soluble vitamins”. As its name implies, these vitamins can be dissolved in water. These are found in parts of our body that contain a lot of water, such as the blood stream. Through the blood, and with the aid of enzymes, these water soluble vitamins can reach parts of the body that needed them. Unfortunately, water is also used by the body to remove wastes. When a water soluble vitamin is not utilized by the body, it joins the wastes and water that are removed. Thus, it is possible for urine to contain some water soluble vitamins. But this also means that once the vitamins are removed, the human body has to replace them. These water soluble vitamins are vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the various B vitamins, such as vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamine), niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid.

The second group of vitamins is called “fat soluble”. These vitamins are dissolved in fatty materials in the human body, such as tissues, muscles, and liver. Since the human body does not remove body fat along with wastes, the fat soluble vitamins can be stored These can stay in the body for several days or several months. When the human body needs them, enzymes take them from the fatty tissues and bring them to the part of the body where they are needed. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D (calciferol), vitamin E (tocopherols), and vitamin K (phylloquinone).

Some humans do not like to eat fruits and vegetables that contain these vitamins. This is why they take vitamin capsules to assure themselves that their bodies have all the vitamins they need.