Health

CheckPoint: Vitamins

1) Explain what water and fat soluble vitamins are. List one vitamin from each category and give one food example.

Water soluble vitamins function as coenzymes that help the body obtain energy from the body. There are eight vitamins in this group which is known as the B-complex group. Vitamin B12 is water soluble and is found in liver and egg yolks. Since this type of vitamin is not stored it will need to be consumed on a daily basis.

Fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A are needed to maintain strength in the bones and teeth. Vitamin A also aids in the maintenance of vision and of the skin. Foods that contain Vitamin A are whole eggs and whole milk. When there is an excess of these vitamins it is stored in the liver for use at a later time. Since this fat soluble vitamins are stored it is important for a person not to consume too much of it at any one period of time.

2) Why are vegans at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vegans are at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency because this particularly vitamin is found in meat from animals. Since vegans do not consume meat they will require another source to get this important vitamin in there system. One way they can get this vitamin is by eating fortified ceral.

3) Do you feel it is important to take a daily multivitamins or is it unnecessary? Explain your reason.

I do not feel that it is important to take multivitamins on a daily basis. The reason why I say this is because there are a wide variety of foods available to us today that contain the vitamins we need on a daily basis. As long as a person is eating healthy he or she should not need to take a multivitamin on a daily basis. However, if you eat a lot of junk, like me, then a multivitamin is not such a bad idea on a daily basis.